Get It Together by Jesse Watters: Book Overview
Are you curious about the fringes of society and unconventional belief systems? Do you wonder how personal traumas shape people's worldviews and coping mechanisms?
In Get It Together, Jesse Watters explores a range of radical ideologies, controversial social issues, and personal struggles. You'll discover insights into anti-establishment views, alternative lifestyles, and the complex interplay between trauma and belief systems.
Let's dive into the key themes of Watters' Get It Together and uncover the fascinating world of fringe ideologies and human resilience.
Overview of Get It Together
In Get It Together, Jesse Watters examines unconventional belief systems, from identifying with lupine spirits to engaging with the mythical realms of Vodou. He explores how people find refuge from trauma through radical ideologies, substance use, and embracing chaos.
The book also delves into controversial topics like initiatives to normalize attractions to minors and advocacy for decriminalizing sex work. Additionally, it examines calls for reforming the criminal justice system, with focuses on rehabilitation over punishment.
Unconventional Belief Systems and Worldviews
In Get It Together, Jesse Watters explores a fascinating array of unconventional belief systems and worldviews that exist on the fringes of society. These perspectives challenge mainstream norms and offer unique insights into how some individuals perceive and interact with the world around them.
One intriguing example is the case of Naia Okami, a transwoman who strongly identifies with the spirit of a wolf. Okami's connection to wolves began with an interest sparked by anime and deepened after visiting a wolf sanctuary. She found a peaceful way to interact with these animals by mimicking their behaviors - moving on all fours through the woods and even joining in their howling. This deep kinship with wolves has become an integral part of Okami's identity, intertwining with her transgender experience. It's important to note that Okami sees this connection as spiritual and separate from her gender identity, emphasizing a strong aversion to immoral acts like bestiality.
Another fascinating belief system explored in the book is Vodou. Often misrepresented in popular media, Vodou is actually a syncretic faith that blends African traditions, European Catholicism, Freemason mysteries, and Native elements. Sallie Ann Glassman, a Vodou priestess, explains that practitioners worship a single, all-powerful god called Bondye, with spirits known as lwa acting as intermediaries. Vodou ceremonies are marked by melodic chants, pulsating drumbeats, vigorous dance, and deep communion with ethereal beings. This practice allows followers to engage with a powerful domain beyond the visible world, closely linked to the physical universe.
Seeking Alternate Realities
Watters delves into how some individuals seek refuge from reality by experiencing different states of awareness, often through the use of substances. This pursuit can be driven by a desire for enlightenment or as a means of escaping harsh personal experiences.
Many people turn to psychedelics, dissociatives, and stimulants in their quest for heightened consciousness. For instance, Ray finds solace in certain substances following a history of substance abuse. Meanwhile, Hector seeks spiritual awakening through the use of toad excretions containing 5-MeO-DMT. These practices are sometimes justified as pathways to spiritual enlightenment, rather than acknowledged for their potentially harmful effects.
The book describes how ingesting 5-MeO-DMT is believed to diminish the personal sense of self and propel a person into an intensified state of universal awareness. For individuals like Hector, this experience is viewed as a pivotal moment of spiritual enlightenment and an essential phase in attaining sobriety and a higher degree of understanding. These altered states of consciousness can lead to major life changes, such as discarding belongings or ending detrimental behaviors, often accompanied by a fresh sense of purpose or spiritual renewal.
Radical Political and Social Ideologies
Get It Together explores a diverse array of radical political and social ideologies, ranging from anti-capitalist and communist worldviews to extremist anti-establishment and anti-authority perspectives. These ideologies often seek to redefine or reject core American values and institutions.
One character, Joe, is portrayed as a president determined to overhaul traditional systems and structures. His efforts to address climate change and combat racial injustice stand in contrast to typical capitalist approaches that emphasize market-driven solutions. Joe advocates for the elimination of barriers to free cross-border movement and critically assesses the prevailing economic framework heavily influenced by American-led entities.
The book also introduces Emily, who joined protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and Ayo, who compared his income as a young person to that of an older white person. Their viewpoints highlight economic and racial inequalities, indicating dissatisfaction with core U.S. values and structures. Another character, Kimathi, values Trump's presidency more than Obama's, emphasizing the challenges faced by minority groups and stressing the importance of community-focused living over typical capitalist objectives.
Rationalizing Communist Regimes
Watters presents various viewpoints that might vindicate and glorify decisions made by communist regimes. For instance, Chris offers a perspective on Soviet history that frames famines as cyclical events and purges as necessary responses to capitalist espionage. He also provides positive commentary on affordable housing in Cuba, reflecting a belief that communist policies can yield favorable outcomes compared to capitalist systems.
The book shows how some individuals reinterpret historical events, downplaying the more significant consequences associated with actions stemming from communist beliefs. Chris, for example, describes the gulags as detention facilities mainly for ordinary lawbreakers and argues that during the infamous trials, the defense was able to participate voluntarily and without force. This interpretation suggests a downplaying of the atrocities historically associated with communism.
Anti-Establishment and Anti-Authority Ideologies
Get It Together examines extreme belief systems that often exhibit a deep-seated distrust of established authority figures. One trend highlighted is the challenge to conventional work expectations and standards. The book describes a campaign advocating for reduced work hours, emphasizing the importance of personal time over productivity. Doreen, an advocate who earns her living by walking dogs, strives to transform conventional work standards and pursue career paths that yield personal satisfaction.
The book also touches on more militant ideologies. Kimathi runs a website promoting aggression towards specific demographics, and the narrative describes incidents where paramilitary forces assaulted unionists. Chris remarks on the apprehensions about threats of fascism aimed at communists and notes that Occupy Wall Street demonstrations exhibit a propensity among protesters to question established power structures.
Conspiratorial beliefs and scapegoating of perceived power structures are also explored. Kimathi often attributes various societal challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread migration, to the Jewish community. He also suggests that liberals and conservatives often have hidden harmful motives, with the latter group being more overt in their racial biases. Chris's discussions on the omnipotence of U.S. intelligence agencies and his skepticism towards traditional political figures reveal a strong belief in conspiracy theories.
Personal Traumas and Coping Mechanisms
Watters delves into how individuals navigate the complex terrain of personal trauma, developing coping mechanisms that range from protective to maladaptive. The book illustrates how an individual's method of interacting with others and the trajectory of their life are profoundly influenced by their early years, familial ties, and strategies for surmounting life's challenges.
The stories in Get It Together uncover a troubling trend where children, deeply scarred by sociopathic, drug-addicted, or absentee parents, mature into adults grappling with unresolved issues. These adults confront numerous obstacles, frequently continuing patterns of maltreatment and dysfunction into the subsequent generation.
Watters explores how ideology and fringe beliefs often serve as a refuge for many from their chaotic pasts. People frequently adopt diverse beliefs and engage in activism or delve into spirituality as a way to cope with trauma and to comprehend their personal experiences. These coping mechanisms offer a sense of stability or understanding against the backdrop of tumultuous personal histories.
Unhealthy Attachment Styles and Maladaptive Behaviors
A common thread in the book is the struggle many individuals face in establishing personal boundaries and forming healthy relationships. This challenge is especially acute for those raised in traumatic environments, where encounters with abuse or neglect made it difficult to differentiate between their own sense of self and that of others. As a result, these individuals often face obstacles in setting personal boundaries and affirming their own rights as they mature.
Watters also examines how, in the aftermath of unresolved trauma, certain individuals may engage in self-destructive and hazardous actions. These behaviors can manifest in various forms—from embracing destructive relationships to substance abuse—creating a cycle of chaos that ironically can feel familiar and, thus, comforting. The book suggests that these actions may be attempts to establish a sense of order in their tumultuous lives.
Throughout these narratives, the profound influence of parental figures is unmistakable. Children frequently carry the marks of past traumas into their later lives if they have suffered abuse at the hands of their parents. Whether repeating patterns of trauma or seeking radical deviation from their past, individuals are influenced heavily by the shadows of their upbringing.
Controversial Social and Ethical Issues
Get It Together delves into two contentious topics that are at the forefront of ongoing societal and moral discussions: initiatives aimed at reducing the stigma associated with pedophilia and the movement towards the legalization and growing acceptance of sex work. Both subjects challenge societal norms and raise complex questions about consent, exploitation, and personal autonomy.
The book discusses recent debates that have broached the delicate issue of societal perceptions regarding attractions to minors. It presents perspectives that hint at a change in viewpoint, regarding these attractions as innocuous or legitimate preferences rather than as behaviors that contravene legal boundaries.
Watters introduces the Prostasia Foundation, known for its provocative perspectives. This organization is actively striving to differentiate between those who feel sexual attraction to minors and individuals who have committed sexual crimes. They advocate for a shift from the stigmatized label 'pedophile' to less pejorative language. The group steadfastly opposes adults participating in sexual acts with minors and any efforts to reduce the minimum age required for consent, yet the terminology and approaches it employs in its activism remain a source of considerable controversy.
Addressing Sexual Exploitation of Minors
The book presents Steven, a specialist in the field dealing with individuals who have a propensity for minors. Steven takes on a perspective that challenges entrenched societal convictions. He recognizes that while some youths who become sexually active prior to reaching the legally permissible age may not suffer harm, there is a significant danger of psychological injury.
Steven also challenges common perceptions regarding the likelihood that individuals who commit child sexual offenses will reoffend, offering an alternative viewpoint on the risks these offenders represent. Nevertheless, despite his claims, the book acknowledges the widely recognized necessity to protect young individuals from the harmful consequences of child sexual abuse.
Sex Work: Empowerment or Exploitation?
Shifting focus to another important social debate, Watters explores how feminist perspectives on sex work have undergone considerable change. He notes that contemporary discussions frequently emphasize empowerment rather than exploitation.
The book introduces Sky, who regards sex work as a symbol of women's empowerment and autonomy. Sky envisions a future where the vocation of sex work is acknowledged for its potential to foster educational growth, individual progress, and financial independence, while also being free from the burden of legal sanctions. She posits that by legalizing sex work, women could harness a sought-after commodity to gain financial empowerment and enhance their societal esteem.
However, Watters doesn't shy away from addressing the potential downsides. While some advocate for the normalization and decriminalization of sex work as a means of empowerment, the book emphasizes the importance of staying cognizant of the detrimental elements, including exploitation and the frequent association with abuse. Advocates like Sky are portrayed as being at the forefront of industry transformation, emphasizing the importance of consent and choice, which could significantly reduce harm. Nonetheless, the serious issues associated with sex work necessitate a sophisticated strategy that acknowledges the varied situations of individuals involved in this sector.
Criminal Justice System Reform
Get It Together examines different viewpoints on the critical need to overhaul the systems that regulate law enforcement and prisons. Watters presents perspectives that accuse the justice system of unfairness and mistreatment.
The book discusses the viewpoint held by the Black Lives Matter movement, which argues that the criminal justice system metes out overly harsh penalties. This situation is exacerbated by biased actions of law enforcement officials in areas like New York's northernmost borough. Watters introduces people like Emily, who recognize their inherent privileges associated with being white and are conscious of the significant disparities when compared to the frequently difficult experiences that black individuals encounter during encounters with the police. This highlights the fundamental issues and emphasizes the need for a comprehensive overhaul or significant transformation of the criminal justice infrastructure.
The author portrays correctional facilities as institutions that overlook the inherent human dignity and potential for transformation within individuals. Watters describes how staff at these facilities subject inmates to harsh treatment and expose them to brutal conditions, including humiliating shower experiences and contemptuous "raids." The book's discussion about prisoner uprisings and the existence of contraband further suggests a lack of adequate supervision and protection. Watters contends that dehumanizing and strictly punitive approaches are ineffective because they fail to take into account the potential for individual reform.
Rehabilitative and Restorative Approaches
Get It Together shifts its focus to endorse strategies that prioritize rehabilitation and restoration within the context of criminal justice. The book showcases Shadi's story as an example of the potential of rehabilitative approaches. Shadi's active participation in prison initiatives, including educational and vocational training, serves as an exemplar of reform.
Watters presents proposals for enhancing the role of mental health professionals in correctional facilities to fully comprehend and reform offenders. The book also discusses directing resources toward initiatives aimed at youth and educational programs as a means of deterrence. It emphasizes the importance of individuals who have committed misdeeds becoming aware of the repercussions their actions bring about.
Throughout this section, Get It Together advocates for a transition towards rehabilitation rather than punishment, with an emphasis on assisting offenders in avoiding future crimes. The book highlights how individuals residing in transitional living facilities are afforded opportunities to secure jobs, build up their savings, and prepare for their reintegration into society. This approach demonstrates a dedication to rehabilitation rather than simply detaining them aimlessly.
Watters' exploration of these perspectives challenges the traditional focus on punitive measures in the justice system. He underscores the need for substantial reforms that support rehabilitation, restorative justice, and the seamless reintegration of individuals who have completed their sentences into society.