But coming home after being away for some time, I feel like that idea remained foreign to us. Maybe the evil spirit of the Iron Curtain still hovers over my country; its impermeable membrane blocking all thoughts of revolution in a manner that all that reaches us is but rumors and misinterpreted notions. Thus, several of weeks ago a local blog published a mock-version of the TIME 2011 Person of the Year cover; it read “The non-Protester.”  

I’d have to agree to disagree with them though, especially since even God knows that dude protests more than the whole of the Occupy movement put together. The difference is that he voices his complaints, rather than acts on them. So I call this person the Complainer, and he tops my 2011 Anti-Hero list.

The Complainer has no age or sex and his political affiliation is of no importance. His motives might be vague, but his discontent is resolute. Thus, he spills his guts as he pours himself another shot of espresso or rakiya. Because it takes more than courage to swallow his sorrow.  He implies the same ardor when he speaks of the lack of proper public transportation, the famine in Africa, or the fact that his parents misunderstand him. Your heart breaks as the she-Complainer suggests all good men are taken and no one cares to plant trees anymore. But this is no frivolous country song, it’s the troublesome world this Balkan character inhabits.

The literate and hip Complainer is also quite sophisticated. He values the power of words because someone once told him that the written word is more powerful than the middle finger. Composing elaborate pieces critiquing the general public, the Complainer implores his readers to become agents of change. He believes in others, or so it seems.

The problem is that with the power of Google, it’s harder and harder to reach not-like-minded people. And while the hip Complainer thinks he’s being pro-active, he’s actually just presenting his audience with haute-couture, pimped up whining, rather than slogans that would make someone do something.

He doesn’t understand that the revolution is alfresco. It might start with a single tweet, but it’s an informative one, to let the world know you’re doing something. The rest is just using the internet as a napkin, to wipe the ideas that roll off your fingers. But for change to happen, you need to stop whining and get your hands dirty.

An old graffiti in my hometown read: “Stop talking, do something.” I think it’s high time you, my dearest Complainer, try that.  

The article was originally written in English.  
Illustration: SONIA & MARK SNOWHITE 

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