We believe in radical transparency. Since we're not a registered nonprofit, we hold ourselves accountable through openness about who we are, how we operate, what we do with resources, and where we fall short. This section tells you everything you need to know about We The Protagonists - including what we're NOT.
Every movement starts somewhere. Here's how We The Protagonists began and why it matters.
I'm a progressive activist in a conservative area. I love gaming, nerdy culture, and justice. For a long time, those felt like separate parts of my life - I'd play games with friends, then separately worry about the state of the world.
I also struggle with social anxiety, ADHD, and chronic illness. Traditional activism - going to rallies, networking with strangers, working in groups face-to-face - was overwhelming. I felt like I couldn't be effective because I couldn't do activism the "normal" way.
But I realized something: The skills I use in gaming - strategic thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, persistence - those ARE activism skills. The community-building that happens in gaming spaces - mutual support, shared goals, collective action - that's activism too.
And there are so many others like me: People who care deeply about justice but feel isolated, overwhelmed, or like they don't fit the traditional activist mold.
Why "We The Protagonists": In any good story, the protagonist is the person who makes choices and takes action to change their world. In a democracy, we're all supposed to be protagonists - "We The People" who govern ourselves.
But too often we're told to be NPCs - non-player characters who just watch events unfold without agency. We're encouraged to be consumers, spectators, bystanders.
We The Protagonists is about reclaiming agency. Everyone is the hero of their own story. We all have power. We all have a role to play. And when we act together - a whole community of protagonists - we can change the world.
What We're Building: A hub where everyday people can learn, act, support each other, and build community around shared values. Where digital-first activism is valid. Where neurodivergent folks and people with anxiety can find ways to participate that work for them. Where gaming culture and progressive politics aren't opposites but natural allies in imagining better worlds.
Let's be crystal clear about what We The Protagonists is and what it's not. No fine print, no confusing language.
A Community-Powered Initiative: We're a group of people supporting each other through activism, mutual aid, and education. The community IS the project.
An Educational Resource: We create and curate content to help people understand issues and take action.
A Mutual Aid Network: We facilitate direct community support - connecting people who need help with people who can help.
A Digital-First Space: We prioritize online community building for accessibility and reach.
Transparent & Accountable: We publicly share what we do with resources and how we operate.
Values-Driven: We're explicitly progressive and committed to justice, equity, and liberation.
Not a Registered Nonprofit: We're not a 501(c)(3) or any other type of official charitable organization. We don't have tax-exempt status.
Not Offering Tax Deductions: Contributions (time or items) are not tax-deductible because we're not a registered charity.
Not Collecting Money: We don't solicit monetary donations from the community. We facilitate item-based mutual aid and direct people to established organizations for financial giving.
Not a Formal Organization: We don't have a board of directors, bylaws, or corporate structure. We operate informally.
Not Claiming Expertise: We're learning alongside the community. We research thoroughly and cite sources, but we're not policy experts or professional activists.
Not Neutral or Nonpartisan: We're progressive. We believe in justice, equity, and liberation. We're not "both sides" about oppression.
We chose this model because:
Speed: We can move quickly without bureaucracy
Flexibility: We can adapt to community needs
Values: We maintain mutual aid principles without nonprofit constraints
Accessibility: Lower barriers to participation
Sustainability: One person can manage this without forming a board
You can trust our transparency but we're not officially "credentialed"
We're accountable to the community, not donors or a board
Your participation shapes what we do
We're figuring this out together
Our Values
These are the principles that guide everything we do. We hold ourselves accountable to these values and welcome being called in when we fall short.
We work toward a world where everyone can thrive. We oppose all forms of oppression - racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, classism, and more. Justice isn't abstract; it's about material conditions and power.
We practice mutual aid, not charity. We believe in community care based on trust and dignity, not means-testing and gatekeeping. We're all in this together.
We remove barriers to participation. That means digital-first options, plain language, diverse ways to engage, and acknowledging that everyone has different capacities.
We share how we operate, what happens to resources, where we succeed and fail. Transparency builds trust when credentials are absent.
The community leads. We listen, amplify, support, and follow the leadership of those most affected by injustice.
We prioritize long-term engagement over burnout-inducing intensity. We normalize rest, boundaries, and taking care of ourselves.
We recognize that forms of oppression interconnect. We can't address just one issue and ignore others. Justice is indivisible.
We're all learning. We welcome questions, admit mistakes, and commit to growth. Perfectionism is the enemy of progress.
We balance education with action. Information without pathways to change isn't enough. We provide concrete next steps.
We don't abandon joy, creativity, or culture in the name of seriousness. Gaming, art, humor - these sustain us and build community.