"To Resist Despair In This World Is What It Is To Be Free!"

How a Reagan-Era Punk Band Inspired Me to Build Community in Weaverville

By: Adam Miller

Growing up, punk music was my refuge. It wasn’t just the sound—the frenetic energy, the
crashing drums, the distorted chords—it was the message. When I felt powerless as a kid, when I
felt like the world was too big and my voice too small, punk music gave me agency. And no
band did that more than Operation Ivy.
 

Operation Ivy’s lyrics were different. They weren’t just angry; they were hopeful. They were
about movement, unity, and action. They taught me that “to resist despair is what it is to be free.”
That lyric stuck with me. It still does. Because today, I see so many people feeling the same lack
of control I felt as a kid. Whether it’s politics, the economy, or just the sheer pace of modern life,
it’s easy to feel powerless. But punk rock taught me that power comes from community, from
standing together—"not to fight, just to exist.”
 

That’s why I opened The Local Collective. I wanted to create a place where people could come together, share ideas, think creatively, and support one another. A place where artists, freelancers, small business owners, and anyone with a dream could feel like they had agency, like they weren’t alone. Because we aren’t alone. And if the punk movement taught me anything, it’s that the only way to regain our sense of control is through
unity.

I saw that unity firsthand after Hurricane Helene. With little connection to the outside world, we
quickly realized that all we had was each other. Everyone stepped up, making sure neighbors had
food, water, and shelter. It didn’t matter if we knew each other before; what mattered was that
everyone got what they needed. That experience reinforced what I already believed—community
is everything. We need to hold on to that energy, to that instinct to take care of each other, not
just in times of crisis but every day.
 

Operation Ivy might have disbanded decades ago, but their message is more relevant than ever.
It’s a call to action, a reminder that we are stronger together, and that hope is a form of
resistance. The Local Collective is my way of answering that call. It’s my way of standing up,
not just for myself, but for my community.

Because when we come together, we do more than just work—we create something bigger than
ourselves. We create change.