Is Fear Our Greatest Problem?

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

— Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd U.S. President

Fear is one of the most critical issues of our times. It’s a force that affects individuals worldwide, hindering rationality and fostering emotional responses that divorce us from reality.

Everyone is so fucking fearful. Fear is our greatest disease, our greatest problem.

When gripped by fear, people surrender to a belief that nothing matters, or worse, that nothing can make a difference. This sentiment is concerning because it becomes a shared limitation that resonates across nations. It’s a plague that leaves us feeling defeated and hopeless.

After watching SIMÓN you can leave the theater feeling defeated and hopeless. But don’t get confused because SIMÓN is fundamentally about hope.

The film exposes the mechanisms through which fear and hopelessness take root. But the message is not to accept defeat or to give up but rather as we’d say in Venezuela, to “Seguir Echandole Bola Coño” — to keep going, no matter the adversity.

Let’s take inspiration from powerful examples of Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi, figures who changed the course of history and faced fear and oppression, yet triumphed through relentless hope and strategic action.

• Nelson Mandela: Mandela spent 27 years in prison during South Africa’s apartheid era. Almost three decades!!! Fear could have crippled him, but he emerged with an unbroken spirit. After his release, he embraced the truth and reconciliation process, acknowledging the pain of the past while fostering hope for a united South Africa.
• Martin Luther King Jr.: In the face of systemic racism and fear in the United States, King advocated for civil rights through nonviolent means. His “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered in the shadow of fear and oppression, resonated with hope, emphasizing equality and justice. He exemplified the power of hope to dismantle fear.
• Mahatma Gandhi: Leading India to independence, Gandhi faced British colonial rule with a philosophy of nonviolent resistance. His approach, rooted in hope for a liberated India, united millions against fear and oppression. The Salt March stands as a touching example of hope challenging the fear imposed by the salt tax.

And let’s not forget our very own SIMÓN BOLÍVAR no joda!!!!

• Simón Bolívar: Amidst the struggle for South American independence, Bolivar faced numerous challenges and betrayals. Yet, his unyielding hope for a united continent and freedom prevailed. His determination led to the liberation of several nations, demonstrating the transformative power of hope against fear. He fought hundreds of battles against the Spanish Empire and rode almost 100,000 miles on a horse, and then he was accused of being a dictator and was kicked out of his own country which he fought for and liberated.

Hope, when strategically used, has the power to dismantle even the most hard-core fear and oppression. We must recognize fear, acknowledge its impact, and collectively embrace a vision of a more hopeful, optimistic, and exciting world.

“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.”
― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov

But it’s not that simple.

The balance emerges — individuals seeking their right to life, prosperity, and opportunities while grappling with the responsibilities tied to the collective — the society, country, and culture they belong to. The weight is not just on their shoulders but on their very souls.

Fear governs our world but we cannot let it govern our soul.

This was an omitted excerpt from SIMÓN: The Weight of Guilt in the Fight for Venezuela