Activism: An Introduction

          We've all seen them: the yelling, screaming, crowd standing on a street corner holding homemade signs with something written in sloppy script about "Puppy Mills Kill" or "Save the Planet”. Let’s face it; most of us roll up our windows, turn the volume higher on the radio, and turn our glances in the opposite direction pretending not to notice the uncomfortable ambiance that suddenly becomes the elephant in the room when we stumble upon such displays of activism.

So, if encountering a potentially angry crowd yelling rhetoric about issues we don’t particularly have interest in causes a sense of discomfort or irritation, why should we be activists? Why should we get involved and if we are to do so, what will our incentives and goals be? Does activism always carry a negative connotation?

The answers here aren’t clear. Activism is simply defined, according to dictionary.com, as “the doctrine or practice of vigorous action or involvement as a means of achieving political or other goals, sometimes by demonstrations, protests, etc.” It’s interesting to note the use of the adjective “vigorous” which continues a derogatory subtext of what “activism” really means, but, is activism really that simple to define?

I don’t think so. Activism, in reality, can be loud and forthright or it can be quiet and subtle. Simply showing up at the polling booth on Election Day is a form of activism: it is an intentional action that seeks to achieve change in the political arena. Volunteering on Sunday mornings at the soup kitchen is another form of activism. Though not political, volunteering or working for an organization that seeks some form of social change is another form of activism.

So, why get involved? It’s simple: this is your world. You should value your voice and believe in the power of it. You may even be an activist already and not even know it or you may have spent a significant number of years trying everything in your power to avoid the label of “activist”. Whoever you are and whatever your initial reaction to activism may be, I’d encourage you to give the realm of social and political activism a chance. Explore your own thoughts and aspirations. If there was one thing you could change in your world, your community, or even your neighborhood, what would it be? Once you answer this question the only thing you have left to do is to be the one to act on it.

Follow this link for a 12 step guide to becoming an activist