What is an activist?
A person who campaigns to bring about political and social change.
In the current environment, I don’t understand how anyone can NOT be an activist.
Tupac said it best:
“And since we all came from a woman
Got our name from a woman and our game from a woman
I wonder why we take from our women
Why we rape our women, do we hate our women?
I think it’s time to kill for our women
Time to heal our women, be real to our women
And if we don’t we’ll have a race of babies
That will hate the ladies, that make the babies
And since a man can’t make one
He has no right to tell a woman when and where to create one”
And I am not just speaking to the leaked SCOTUS document that Roe v Wade will be over turned. Although the lyrics above say all that needs to be said.
I am also speaking about the issues on climate change, the childish ways of politicians in elected offices, the wave of mis-information that has over taken the internet, the countless murders of black men by badges- I can go on.
How are you not an activist at this point?
I get it. You can’t attend every protest. Well, neither can I.
So what are some ways you can be an activist?
Here are a few ways.
- Practice self-care
Turn off social media when it gets too over whelming. Get angry. Cry. Say your peice, but walk away from it if you must. You’re not missing out on anything. Take care of you and your peace. Get your thoughts together and then act. - Educate
Use your platforms to educate the masses. Even if your audience is only ten readers. Provide them with indisputable facts. Give links and references. Provide your opinion but always back it up with facts. Even if your opinion does not follow what the world expects you believe. Read as much as you can. Always show up with the bullet proof vest I call FACTS. - Sign Petitions
Every politician and or civil group has a website and petitions. Sign your name to a cause. Get that link and pass along to your readers, friends, family too. - Donate Money
Those entities in point three, may more than likely have donation campaigns as well. You don’t need to much either. Donate what you can. - Volunteer
Give your time to those non-profit organizations that fall in line with your beliefs. They are always looking for volunteers. Search your area for organizations that need help. - VOTE
Not just in the final elections but the PRIMARIES as well. Not just in the presidential elections but in all of those in between. From the school board elections to the local town elections to the federal ones. You f**kers better be out there voting. This is the ULTIMATE form of protest. - Support small POC Businesses
Spend your money where it really counts. Support small businesses owned by people of color.
I am sure that are countless ways to be an activist. This is short list. But its a start.