08-10-2014, 02:32 PM
I don't know if it's fair to criticise people for signing petitions and 'raising awareness'. Of course 'raising awareness' is often code name for not really doing anything at all and just using issues as a fashion statement. When it comes to people who really are just circlejerking on Tumblr, I think the criticism is valid. But signing petitions and 'raising awareness' (and I mean properly) is better than nothing and I'd encourage everyone to do that. The fact is that most people don't have time to be full time activists and this is what I mean by 'literally everyone can do something'.
I hate to relate this to myself again but I've managed to get outright misogynists to support feminism after multiple discussion on the issue. If I can just create a tiny shift in public opinion by challenging the notions of the people immediately around me, I feel like I've at least done something. That's the biggest thing that needs to change in our culture; attitudes (of course once you get into war rape and the drug war and all that it gets even more complicated- infinitely).
I'd like to redirect this topic into something I haven't quite figured out myself, and that's what we can all be doing about these issues. For me, the reason I'm not an actual activist isn't because I'm lazy or because I don't care; it's because I don't know what I can do in my current situation that is actually helpful.
So far all I know that we can do is:
1. The basics: Stand up to bad shit when we see it, try to get the people around us to re-evaluate their positions, etc. This is what I'm already doing but I think we can do more.
2. Donate money and needed items. Another obvious one that I admittedly have done enough of. I can't reasonably do a lot though, and too many people think that putting a dollar in a donation jar justifies having fucked attitudes towards the poor. I have the idea of donating every thing I get over the national average towards charity, but I don't expect to make that much. >_> If I'm ever really rich I'll start my own organisations because I have ideas that I think can make modern philanthropy way more effective. This isn't really 'activism' but still.
3. Write politicians/businesses/police/etc: I consider doing this all the time, but with the big issues it feels like there's already 300 other people doing it and I'd be wasting effort by doing it. I should no longer let this be an excuse.
4. Similarly, try to get articles published on the issues that people will actually read (i.e. not 'Tumblr activism'). I write my thoughts on issues down all the time but I never do anything with them because I'm not sure how to do it correctly. Furthermore, conducting real research involves being directly faced with the issues. I'm willing to do that but I don't know how you go about it.
5. Full on protest and shit: I'm not about to just start aimlessly waiving signs around but I'm more than willing to join a meaningful protest next time there's one in my city.
6. Join activists organisations: There are a few based in my city that deal with local issues. The only thing holding me back is I know my parents will disown me if I ever get involved in this stuff.
7. Just tackle issues head on: This is what I'd really like to do but I don't know how. For example, I want to reduce crime in my city. How can I just fight criminal organisations (especially when there's spill over from the Mexican drug war >_>)? Join the police? I'm not happy about police brutality either. Etc. etc. I don't really know what I can do. If I was rich I could do something to create jobs so people don't turn to crime, provide people safe places to go, etc. But even if I'm a stupid rich kid I don't have the personal funds to do any of that.
Discuss.
I hate to relate this to myself again but I've managed to get outright misogynists to support feminism after multiple discussion on the issue. If I can just create a tiny shift in public opinion by challenging the notions of the people immediately around me, I feel like I've at least done something. That's the biggest thing that needs to change in our culture; attitudes (of course once you get into war rape and the drug war and all that it gets even more complicated- infinitely).
I'd like to redirect this topic into something I haven't quite figured out myself, and that's what we can all be doing about these issues. For me, the reason I'm not an actual activist isn't because I'm lazy or because I don't care; it's because I don't know what I can do in my current situation that is actually helpful.
So far all I know that we can do is:
1. The basics: Stand up to bad shit when we see it, try to get the people around us to re-evaluate their positions, etc. This is what I'm already doing but I think we can do more.
2. Donate money and needed items. Another obvious one that I admittedly have done enough of. I can't reasonably do a lot though, and too many people think that putting a dollar in a donation jar justifies having fucked attitudes towards the poor. I have the idea of donating every thing I get over the national average towards charity, but I don't expect to make that much. >_> If I'm ever really rich I'll start my own organisations because I have ideas that I think can make modern philanthropy way more effective. This isn't really 'activism' but still.
3. Write politicians/businesses/police/etc: I consider doing this all the time, but with the big issues it feels like there's already 300 other people doing it and I'd be wasting effort by doing it. I should no longer let this be an excuse.
4. Similarly, try to get articles published on the issues that people will actually read (i.e. not 'Tumblr activism'). I write my thoughts on issues down all the time but I never do anything with them because I'm not sure how to do it correctly. Furthermore, conducting real research involves being directly faced with the issues. I'm willing to do that but I don't know how you go about it.
5. Full on protest and shit: I'm not about to just start aimlessly waiving signs around but I'm more than willing to join a meaningful protest next time there's one in my city.
6. Join activists organisations: There are a few based in my city that deal with local issues. The only thing holding me back is I know my parents will disown me if I ever get involved in this stuff.
7. Just tackle issues head on: This is what I'd really like to do but I don't know how. For example, I want to reduce crime in my city. How can I just fight criminal organisations (especially when there's spill over from the Mexican drug war >_>)? Join the police? I'm not happy about police brutality either. Etc. etc. I don't really know what I can do. If I was rich I could do something to create jobs so people don't turn to crime, provide people safe places to go, etc. But even if I'm a stupid rich kid I don't have the personal funds to do any of that.
Discuss.