The word “activism” has been coming up quite frequently in my conversations lately. I don’t know what you think about when you hear the word, but my reaction is always the same, especially when I hear my name and “activist” used as my title.
I picture myself standing in protest, fist raised and holding a sign, my mouth opened wide and yelling. And you know what? I have been to a few protests and actions over the years and never have I stood with my fist raised or yelled. But there’s just something about that word- “activist”- that sounds somewhat unruly to me.
Maybe it’s because people don’t protest when they’re happy? Maybe it’s because we don’t see our news feeds filled with stories of hundreds of people gathering to show their thanks for a particular action? I don’t know, but I totally understand why people stop listening to me when the word and thought of activism comes up.
I can’t think of one protest my friends were part of in our youth, but I can think of several in the last few years. There were people taking action around the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Standing Rock is another that comes to mind, and we most definitely have all watched protests for the Black Lives Matter movement.
I’m currently organizing the faith community around the For The People’s Act, also called S1 and HR1, and one of my responsibilities is to facilitate workshops on activism for people of faith. One thing that I want to help people understand is that activism might always be intimidating, but it shouldn’t be equated with a sense of loathing or anger. Just like most other things in the world, there are many layers of activism, and I’m certain, one that will fit most of us. I might even go so far as to say that, just like most things in the world, there are varying degrees of risk involved.
My mom, for example, has been involved in activism as of late although it’s never been framed that way for her. She was raised to not talk about politics. She was also raised by a father who was rumored to not allow people to come into his home if they supported a specific political party … but that’s for another time. So anyway, my mom, because of my job, has to listen to a lot of political stuff. Whether it’s a bill that I’m watching or an issue that has me fired up, she hears about it. All that talk has made her more aware of what she sees, reads, and hears.
She has gone from nodding her head and giving the occasional “mm-hmm” to actually being able to talk with me about issues. And the most beautiful part in that for me is that she’s the one who brings it up at least seven out of 10 times these days. She’s becoming more civically engaged, and, in the process, has stepped up to voice her opinion to lawmakers.
The first time my mom told me that she, at the age of 74, had called her elected representative to voice her opinion on a bill, I swore I had misunderstood. When she repeated who she called and what she had said, I was smiling from ear to ear. My mom had suddenly become an activist! She was speaking out to change something! Now it’s nothing for her to join, or, sometimes, start conversations about policies and desired changes. She’s an activist.
Activism is simply working to make change happen. Have you ever spoken at a board meeting? Written a letter to the editor to share your opinion? Called an official’s office to voice your opinion? Attended a training or workshop to learn more about a particular piece of policy or proposed policy? Or here’s one: have you ever signed a petition? Yes? Then welcome to the activist club where there are varying levels of membership.
I know it’s intimidating to speak to people who don’t have much in common with us as far as lived experience. I mean, trust me, I know know. But I also believe that a point comes in which we have to start becoming engaged or our very lives are at risk. People who are hungry are only going to get hungrier if they aren’t involved in the process of change. People who can’t afford safe housing aren’t going to miraculously see the market open up unless they become involved in the process. And the same goes for what I’m organizing for now – the integrity of our democracy.
Being an activist can be intimidating, but not being an activist can be detrimental to your well-being. With so many ways to get plugged in, we’re running short on excuses.
Onward,
Amy Jo
