How to Become an Activist
Hi Friends!
Welcome to Issue 39 of this newsletter! This week’s topic is How to Become an Activist. The last time I sent out a poll for upcoming newsletters, this was one of the most requested topic and I’m excited to jump into it today. Activism is defined as a political ideology. Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede, direct, or intervene in social, political, economic, or environmental reform with the desire to make changes in society toward a perceived greater good. An activist is someone who advocates for or practices activism. Sometimes we have a perception that one can only be an activist if they are raising a lot of money for a cause, or giving a speech at a rally, or (in today’s world) have hundreds of thousands of instagram followers who re-share their infographics. The truth is, anyone can be an activist in their daily life but it takes more than being a slacktavist on social media, it takes time, patience, and mental and emotional strength to stand up for justice. Let’s get into it!
Key Terms
Activist: an activist is someone who works to support a cause. One who is politically active in the role of a citizen; especially, one who campaigns for change. A proponent or practitioner of activism.
Activism: activism is the use of direct action to achieve an end, either for or against an issue. The use of direct, often confrontational action, such as a demonstration or strike, in opposition to or support of a cause. The doctrine or policy of taking positive, direct action to achieve an end, esp. a political or social end.
Social Justice: Social justice examines the distribution of wealth, privileges, and opportunity within a society and involves fighting oppression such as ableism, ageism, classism, racism, sexism and oppression of those who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, are from different countries, or are religious.
Racial Justice: Racial justice is the systematic fair treatment of people of all races, resulting in equitable opportunities and outcomes for all. Racial justice initiatives address structural and systemic changes to ensure equal access to opportunities, eliminate disparities, and advance racial equity—thus ensuring that all people, regardless of their race, can prosper and reach their full potential. Racial justice and equity is not achieved by the mere absence of racial discrimination or the perceived absence of harmful racial bias, but rather through deliberate action to dismantle problematic and build positively transformational systems – action must be carried through with the conviction, commitment and dedication of advocates.
Climate Justice: “Climate justice” is a term, and more than that a movement, that acknowledges climate change can have differing social, economic, public health, and other adverse impacts on underprivileged populations. Climate justice begins with recognizing key groups are differently affected by climate change. Climate impacts can exacerbate inequitable social conditions.
Keyboard Warrior: A person who posts highly opinionated text and images online in an aggressive or abusive manner, often without revealing his or her own identity.
Slacktivism: The United Nations has defined slacktivism as when people “support a cause by performing simple measures” but “are not truly engaged or devoted to making a change.” Slacktivism typically means taking to social media. It encompasses things like retweeting words of hope after a national disaster or liking a charity’s Facebook page—as the study implies. However, it can also include non-digital actions like wearing a ribbon on your shirt to bring awareness.
Let’s Get Into It
There’s no one path to becoming more active in your community, whether it’s politics, climate change, gender inequality, LGBTQ+ rights, prison reform, racial justice or any other area. In my own personal experience, I was hesitant to call myself an activist as I sat on my sofa re-posting infographics, then as I researched and wrote my own, and still as I started becoming an anti-racism educator. In hindsight, I realize I didn’t need to do something specific to finally earn the title activist, nor is it crucial to my identity or my work to have a title. Below are some ways I have gotten more active, uncomfortable, effective and impactful in my work over the last two years:
Take A Look Inside
Before we can go out and change the world, we have to take a peek inside of those dark, dusty corners of our hearts and minds and figure out what is important to us and why, while also asking ourselves a few questions. What are my implicit biases? How have I perpetuated systemic racism, homophobias, sexism, gentrification and more? Who am I and who do I want to be? You definitely don’t have to be perfect (who is?) but having those honest inward conversations will only make you more relatable, honest and empathetic as you start trying to reach others.
Do The Work
It means what it sounds like. Work. Don’t just read one book, read many and read them consistently. Talk to people who are close to you and talk to strangers at book clubs and workshops and seminars. Learn about what you are passionate about. Why do you think I write this newsletter every single week? I have taught myself so many anti-racism related topics week in and week out because I can’t expect to motivate and educate without continuing to learn myself in a consistent and disciplined way.
Use Your Voice
Whether you’re introverted or extroverted, a strong public speaker or a great writer, the host of a podcast or the curator of an Instagram account followed by 200 friends, use whatever platform you have and use your voice. The first time you challenge the status quo or proudly claim your truth, it will be scary. It will not be glamorous and it will not always feel triumphant. Sometimes it feels like an anxious uncertainty or a whisper of regret, because being comfortable is always easier. But it is not about being comfortable, it is about being a changemaker in your community.
Start Today
It will start out messy. My first newsletter was a hot mess. My first IG live conversation I was so quiet and monotone, trying to hide the quiver in my voice. My first podcast I was shivering with nerves. But start. Start and be afraid. Start and be uncertain. Start and make mistakes. But start and do it now. When Kira West and I started ACTIV-ISM, our anti-racism wellness company, we had a text thread, a zoom call, and a blurry vision, and yet 60 people followed us through that first month long program and all 60 found community, understanding and a sense of purpose simply because we were present, vulnerable, and ready to make mistakes. Start today, you won’t regret it.
When we are behind our phone screens sharing infographics that we barely skim, tapping auto-populated information into digital petitions, and arguing in the comments section of a Facebook post, it definitely feels like we are doing something. It feels stressful, and chaotic and oddly satisfying, but does it make for real change? How much more work would it take for you to find a local non profit and start volunteering? How much more challenging would it be to call a family meeting and dive into a conversation with your parents and siblings? Virtual movements filled with hashtags and petitions are absolutely useful and there will always be folks ready to take up that mantle, but there aren’t many willing to do the work in real life. Are you?
