SMILE

by Luigi Vitali

DUST Issue 25 Editor’s Letter

There is nothing to smile about. These recent years feel like the most perplexing times our generation has ever experienced. And even as we go about our lives seemingly unaffected, there is a lingering sense that our future will be more challenging than our societies, or we ourselves, were built to withstand. More and more, we’re confronted by events of escalating magnitude, prompting us to say with increasing frequency that we’ve never witnessed anything quite like this before. And it keeps happening as if we’ve been thrust into a whirlwind of events, each challenging our understanding of the world and pushing the boundaries of what we consider bearable. From the dystopian aftermath of the global pandemic to the ever-intensifying climate catastrophes worldwide, from the threat of unregulated AI to the alarming rise of anti-democratic populist forces within our societies, and the wars waged ruthlessly against international laws, these years have been a lot to process.

We’ve faced challenges that cannot be dismissed as mere exceptions but rather new realities whose frequency and intensity we have to adapt to. The news has started to feel increasingly alarming, not just because media sensationalism distorts public perception, amplifying fears in a desperate attempt for more clicks, but because the events themselves are genuinely concerning. No wonder the word ‘unprecedented’ has become commonplace in our communication, expressing, out of laziness or, in the absence of a better term, our growing disbelief. More and more, the very fabric of our present reality has been worn away and reshaped, confining us to a world that is testing our ability to envision a welcoming future or giving reasons to smile about it.

Let’s spend a few words on the two ongoing full-scale military operations that continue to shock the world for their flagrant disregard for international laws: on the one hand, the unprovoked Russian attack on Ukraine and Western civilisation, and on the other, the military operation in Gaza, where the right of self-defence morphed into a continuous massacre that can no longer be justified. These events have irremediably highlighted the fallacy of international laws to safeguard peace and human dignity, leaving us more vulnerable than we may have realised. What can be noted in these two ongoing military offensives are two leaders who have held their positions almost continuously for the past twenty years, whose main objective is maintaining their grip on power at all costs, even if it means waging wars to justify and moralise their continued rule. Their acting with impunity with the supposed aim of leaving behind a legacy is merely self-serving and delusional. It may serve their autocratic agenda but not the interests of their countries.

Their actions not only destabilise nations but also undermine the very foundations of accepted governance. Putin in Russia continues his aggression against Ukraine with increasing stubbornness despite having sent hundreds of thousands of Russians to die for his fantasy of a renewed empire and a holy war against the morally corrupt West. Netanyahu, whose messianic government initiated an assault on an already weakened democracy last year through a judiciary overhaul, seemingly persists in his agenda, maintaining his hold on power and destroying any Palestinian ambitions for self-determination. His ongoing war, extending far beyond the pretext of self-defence against Hamas, has resulted in continuous war crimes, revealing the true nature of his politics and casting the country as a pariah in the eyes of many across the international community. A situation he’s not hesitant to manipulate, fuelling the perception of marginalisation to drive his base to rally behind his strong leadership. He’s strategically exploiting both the grievances of his own people to silence opposition and his allies’ initial support to act with a sense of entitlement and impunity. Pushed to extremes, the conversation around this century-long land dispute has never been more divisive, and the international community’s failure to prevent the worsening of the situation is evident to all, exposing the Western world’s inability to uphold a position of moral authority.

These two distinct wars, waged by authoritarian-like figures, are not only shaping our present but may also foreshadow what lies ahead. The level of boldness in which not only on single occasions but systematically, war crimes are committed in spite of international laws seems likely to open a new chapter where mutual global understanding of what was morally accepted is irreversibly broken. And where—in the absence of common narratives—anyone is acting according to their self-serving truths, fighting ruthlessly to impose them. This precedent is alarming, especially considering the growing normalisation of populist authoritarian leaders in Europe and elsewhere, whose influence can only thrive in times of heightened uncertainty.

In a scenario exacerbated by shifting economic powers, climate change, resource depletion, technological risks, and the prospect of a Trump re-election next November, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to anticipate a future that offers any reason to smile. It’s simply not a given. We must not forget, however, that a smile remains one of the most powerful tools we have to confront the future—not as a means of escaping reality or succumbing to cynicism, but as a defiant act of hope. Inevitably, the act of smiling creates spaces where new ideas or mindsets can flourish, where inclusive movements can be nurtured, and where a different tomorrow can be forged, spreading a contagious approach to resistance.

Losing our smile means losing our future. Throughout history, many social changes have been driven by the enduring power of a smile. From grassroots movements to global revolutions, collective actions have spread through this simple act. A smile in the face of adversity has always expressed inner strength and confidence in being on the right side of history. It has always had the power to overcome the sense of doom when options are limited and our impact on history seems insignificant.

To recall instances where the power of a smile acted as a political tool and drove change, let’s highlight a few examples from history’s resistance movements. One such instance is the ‘Baltic Way’, when on August 23rd, 1989, around two million people across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania formed a massive human chain to express unity and the need for independence. Amidst Soviet occupation, their smiles sent a powerful message of unity and resistance, showing the world how, even in adversity, smiles can light up the path to freedom. What has been called ‘The Singing Revolution’ has been a series of events in the Baltic states where singing and smiling as practices of non-violent resistance paved the way to their independence. The most iconic smile in history—symbolising resilience and hope—is arguably Nelson Mandela’s. His enduring smile inspired millions worldwide in the fight against inequality and oppression. Despite spending 27 years in prison during South Africa’s apartheid era, his unwavering commitment to smiling extended beyond his cause, becoming a powerful symbol of the human spirit’s triumph over tyranny and injustice.

If we explore the roots of the women’s rights movement, particularly the early 20th-century suffrage movement, we discover the pioneering use of smiling as a deliberate form of resistance and empowerment within organised social movements. Despite the risk of imprisonment and vehement opposition, suffragists often smiled defiantly during protests, challenging societal norms and advocating for equal rights. Their efforts succeeded, and in August 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, legally guaranteeing American women the right to vote.

During the Orange Revolution in Ukraine, which unfolded in late 2004, citizens took to the streets in response to electoral fraud and corruption that favoured the pro-Russian candidate. Among the peaceful means reflecting the protestors’ commitment to democratic principles, smiling emerged as a symbol of resistance and solidarity. The mass protests prompted the Ukrainian Supreme Court to intervene, ultimately invalidating the election results due to fraud, marking a triumph for democracy and signalling a notable geopolitical shift as Ukraine distanced itself from Russian influence. This moment sparked hope and resilience, emboldening Ukrainians in their pursuit of self-determination. The same spirit fuelled the Maidan revolution of 2013—started as a reaction to another betrayal of Ukraine’s democratic future—and continues to this day to drive Ukraine’s courageous defence against Russian military aggression for the past two and a half years, hopefully leading to success once again. The resilience of the Ukrainian population, whose hope and commitment to democratic values remain unbroken despite the devastation brought by Russia serves as an admirable example for us all.

Our generation in Europe may only be waking up to history now, but despite the unsettling times we are living in and the increasing magnitude of events we are subjected to, we cannot forget that every generation has faced challenges that seemed insurmountable at the time. We cannot abdicate from the hope or the belief that together, we can work to address these challenges and remove the obstacles keeping us from reaching a better and shared future. We must not lose our smiles’ authenticity to a clueless plastic selfie pose, blind to what’s coming, nor should we hold an angry grudge to instead signal our awareness of what lies ahead. In the face of rising polarisation in society, fuelled by identity politics, echo chambers, and everyone focusing on their self-branded image, we find ourselves divided by opinions, beliefs, perceptions, and even sets of facts. In such a scenario, we have no choice but to find a way to bridge our fears and uneasiness despite our mediascape’s efforts to put us against each other in a game of conflicting polarity. Smiling, then, becomes our own act of defiance, a rejection of that same reality we refuse to conform to.

In the face of AI’s immeasurable anthropological impact, which threatens to diminish the spaces where our humanity is required and where increased connectivity often leads to heightened loneliness, we have no choice but to cling to what defines us as fundamentally human, fundamentally alike, fundamentally ourselves. Smiling, then, becomes our own affirmation, our rejection of a standard we refuse to conform to. Against the backdrop of the challenges threatening our future, making us feel insignificant in the course of events, we must not forget that our strength lies in coming together. It is together that we can influence change and give space to our desires.

We must not forget that ignorance and oppression can be fought, that what makes us different can be embraced, that political divides can be overcome, and that together, we can wield power. We must not forget that nationalism can be contained, climate change reversed—no matter how hard it may seem—and that technology can liberate rather than alienate. We must not forget that together, we can come up with solutions and strengthen what makes us alike, what makes us human. We must not forget that a more just and fair world is indeed possible. It’s up to us to agree on a strategy and commit to it. But it’s true, we can make an impact, and as we do, we can’t help but smile.