Power, People and Planet Resisting from the Shadows: Ivetta Sergeeva on Covert Acts of Defiance
Can small, hidden acts of resistance change the world?
Kumi Naidoo talks to Dr. Ivetta Sergeeva, postdoctoral scholar at Stanford’s Center for Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law, to explore the concept of stealth activism— the covert resistance necessary to navigate life in authoritarian regimes. As co-founder of the OutRush Project, Ivetta studies and supports Russian migrants who fled after the invasion of Ukraine, documenting their displacement and their ongoing covert defiance.
In this episode, we’ll learn:
- What “15 minutes a day to fight the regime” can mean for anyone, anywhere
- Why supporting small, individualized acts of resistance is vital to long-term social change
- The distinction between visible protest and subtle dissent
- How activism takes on different shapes in repressive societies—and why that matters (4th)
- Why everyday acts like writing letters to political prisoners can be revolutionary
- How activism takes on different shapes in repressive societies—and why that matters
With warmth, humility, and analytical clarity, Ivetta reminds us that power lies not just in marches and megaphones, but in maps, data, and silent courage.
Produced by Larj Media
🔗 Resources & Mentions
- OutRush Project (verify the final link with Ivetta)
- Stanford CDDRL
- Write to Russian Political Prisoners – OVD-Info Guide (Russian Human Rights Org)
- “Weapons of the Weak” by James C. Scott
- [Stealth Activism concept – Alinea Salnikova-Cook’s work]
- Kumi Naidoo at Amnesty International
Follow her work: @IvettaSergeeva
Full show notes and links: powerpeopleplanet.org
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