“The future depends entirely on what each of us does every day; a movement is only people moving.” — Gloria Steinem
I call myself an activist, and I consider myself deeply invested in “changing the world” for the greater good. I find my creative expressive through poetry plays a key influence in the ways in which I engage in activism. My personal engagement in activism has been through educating myself on healthcare rights and health policy since transitioning from juvenile/adolescent healthcare to adult healthcare treatment. I have volunteered my time with the Arthritis Foundation through fundraising, camp counselor, contacting local representatives, conference attendance, and speaker at the national JA conference. I have also experienced a grassroots organization that provided accessible resources to high school aged girls to attend and succeed in their higher education endeavors. This was achieved through biweekly mentor and interactive meetings on a variety of topics from self-care to finances to community service.
While curating ways to “change the world,” I realized activism can look a lot of ways. It can be as simple as donating money to an organizational fundraiser to sit-ins and peaceful protests to posts on social media. It can also be voting at local, state, and national levels.
To be an activist means to be invested in “changing the world,” small or large, but at the same time seeing beauty, joy, and empathy.
What is an activist?
Activist (n)
ak-tuh-vuhst
a person who believes strongly in political or social changes and takes part in activities such as public protest to try to make this happen (Cambridge Dictionary)
According to US-activist and educator, Bill Moyer, there are four key roles of an activist:
1. Citizens: Every activist must be a responsible citizen. That is, to gain respect and acceptance from other citizens in order for their movement(s) to succeed (Moyer). By being a citizen, you recognize issues, conflicts, and resolutions within your community and step up to rally support for constructive and meaningful change.
2. Rebels: At the same time of being a responsible citizen, activists must also be a rebel by saying “No!” and protesting social conditions, policies, and practices that violate good societal principles and fundamental values (Moyer). To be a rebel citizen, you do more than just acknowledge issues and conflicts. Here, you resist the current policies that violate or impede upon equitable opportunities for community members through action and voice.
3. Change agents: Activists are change agents for they educate, organize, and involve the general public to actively oppose policies and seek positive, constructive solutions (Moyer). We see change agents all over our social media platforms, news outlets, and community engagement leaders. To be a change agent, you hold other community members accountable by informing them of the issue and rallying other individuals and supports to join in forward progress.
4. Reformers: Activists are also reformers who with political officials and within the judicial structure incorporate solutions into new laws and into society’s public and private institutions (Moyer). To be a reformer means to meet with legislative bodies and political figures (commissioners, school board members, mayor, representatives, presidents, senators, etc.) to enact and push through judicial barriers to implement new and revised policies, laws, and solutions.
Bill Moyer's Four Roles of Social Activism from Doing Democracy: The MAP Model for Organizing Social Movements, https://commonslibrary.org/the-four-roles-of-social-activism/
Ways to Engage in Activism
· Educate (each) other(s) through book clubs, conscious-raising groups, community-led progressive/awareness events, town hall events, marathons, etc.
· Engage in community service/volunteerism at the local, state, national, and global level
· Raise money/fundraise/donate to organizations and funds
· Political canvassing
· Create public awareness campaigns (local) and online through social media outlets
· Advocate for legislation by emailing, calling, and writing to representatives
· Join peaceful protest/demonstration
· Read, read, read!
· Vote!
Check your vote registration status: https://www.vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote/
Add to this list of engaging in activism by commenting at the end of this post ways you are an activist.
For everyday impacts, consider how your career endeavors relates to activism and outreach. “High impact” careers such as through research, advocacy, working directing with/for those in need, and “earning to give” are considered the “most impactful” career paths when it comes to being in service for others and impacting the world (80000hours.org).
Karen Walrond, author of The Lightmaker’s Manifesto: How to Work for Change Without Losing Your Joy acknowledges that to maintain longevity in activism, you must have fun in your work and be fueled by joy. Choosing a career path that is personally rewarding and worldly impactful is a double win.
Check out this website, 80,000 hours, to learn and compare career paths and their impact: https://80000hours.org/
Wise Words from Karen Walrond Against Activism Burnout:
To reiterate Karen’s advice, I feel much connected to her outlook on joy and longevity, “anger” as the spark to the fuel one’s activism fire and remaining mindful and observant of changing values and purpose which lead one into activism and leadership, and the fulfillment received from the work.
“There’s no one way to change the world. The world changes when we take inspiration from all the different forms of good work and light and make them our own.”
— Karen Walrond, The Lightmaker’s Manifesto
Additional Resources on Activism and Activists:
Modern Minorities, https://www.modmypod.com/episodes
The Emergent Strategy Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/3FUEqQ4aPQstyanxBaFfxF?si=4beb5da27d9c4bfe&nd=1
Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart, https://brenebrown.com/hbo-max-presents-brene-brown-atlas-of-the-heart/
“Gloria Steinem Is Nowhere Near Done With Being an Activist,” New York Times, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/09/08/magazine/gloria-steinem-interview.html
Works Referenced
“Effective Activist,” https://effectiveactivist.com/intro/
Moyer, Bill. “The Four Roles of Social Activism by Bill Moyer.” The Commons Social Change Library, https://commonslibrary.org/the-four-roles-of-social-activism/
Created by Avery C. Castillo
for Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies
Texas Tech University
Spring 2023
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