Being a good activist, to me, is to be passionate about what you are fighting for. There is no such thing as a passive activist. You do not have to be a gay man or a lesbian to be an activist for gay rights or marriage. An activist just has to want to fight for the change they want to see. An activist, especially a leader, has to be able to speak to others in a way that connects. I think it is important that an activist does not alienate the people they are against. It seems like the only way change can come about is if the people who want change convert some of the people on the fence about a given issue. An activist who has a significant impact on change has to be able to speak to everyone while at the same time prove why change is needed.
A great example of an activist connecting with people would have to be Shirley Chisholm. I found it very interesting that she was running for President at a time where women did not have the power they have today. Not too many women had powerful jobs at this time and she was running for the most important job in the country. I admire her because she was a black woman who was not afraid to speak her thoughts and try to make a change. She did not think she was going to win that particular election but she wanted to show that it could be done. I have not watched more videos about her but it seems like she was not an alienating type, she wanted change and she was doing it the right way. In many ways it’s clear she paved a way for President Obama. She set the precedent.
I also really liked what Howard Zinn had to say because he kind of broke down the way power works in out society. He falls into at least two of the privilege groups, most likely all four, and he is still an activist. He doesn’t need to be. However, he had a way of explaining what activism is and why it is important to fight for change that really helped me gain understanding of what it truly means.
I also think that a good activist should be passionate about what he/she is fighting for. I didn't mention it in my blog, but I think you are right. Good activists/leaders are ones that connect to everyone while alienating no one. Good activists/leaders are ones that can communicate to everyone what the problem is and why it needs to be changed.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point how activist don't have to necessarily be a part of what they are fight for, if they want to make a change then they have a every right to see that change by fighting. I also agree that Shirley Chisholm was an incredible activist. She was speaking up and doing things against what the majority of people believed. It's very true that she kind of cleared a way for President Obama.
ReplyDeleteI also really liked Howard Zinn, it was interesting that although he is still sort of considered among 'privileged' members of society, he is still very a very infuential activist, i really like the point you make in saying you don't have to be a part of what you are fighting for also.
ReplyDeleteI think its great how you mentioned that good activists need to be able to communicate the issues at hand.I've never really heard of Shirley Chisholm before so that was really interesting reading what you had to say on her.
ReplyDeleteI like your reasons why you picked Shirley Chisholm. I agree with you about the passion needed also. Without that passion they will just easily give up if they don't succeed right away. A good activist needs that drive to make change and not just a passive way of acting.
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