I can totally relish in how easy it is nowadays to sign a petition at the click of a button or to reshare a resource with a finger tap… but, I have to admit that the times when I really challenged myself to actually do something is when I felt like 1) I did something I felt proud of 2) I was able to grow 3) I could see how my direct actions could contribute (positively) to a movement I wanted to support and to change that I wanted to see. Taking my own activism offline by doing the things I write about below has shaped me into becoming a better activist, ally, and friend.
What is activism, anyway? And, what does it look like in the 21st century?
There is no doubt that activism, defined as “the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change” can be achieved through various means. More recently, as we have seen globalization and technology connect us more than ever before, online activism has become particularly popular. In this day and age, anyone with access to a phone or computer can build an online presence or platform in order to make a statement, hop on the latest trend, digest a new theory, or encourage social change.
Activism, which tends to require campaigning, information dissemination, and social networking, can therefore be achieved through what we know as the internet. In fact, a number of people who use social media have likely engaged in some form of activism; Pew Research recently found that “In the past year, 34% of Americans have taken part in a group on social media that shares an interest in an issue or cause, while a similar share (32%) says they have encouraged others to take action on an issue that is important to them.” So, over a third of Americans have engaged in some sort of online activism in the past year, but just how many of us actually engage in meaningful activism outside the world wide web?
My guess would be not as many, simply due to the fact that engaging in activism online may be less time consuming and exhausting since one can sign a petition or share a post at the click of a button. But what’s the problem with only engaging in online activism? It’s important that we ask ourselves this because of what is known as performative activism, which prioritizes the social capital of the ‘activist’ at the expense of the actual movement and people they claim to be advocating for.
Performative Activism Online
There have been a number of examples of performative activism this year, especially related to the Movement for Black Lives in response to nationwide police brutality and racial violence. Folks who are perpetuating online performative activism are no doubt causing more harm than good, so it is important that we try to mitigate further harm by checking ourselves and our intentions especially when we are behind the screen. Similarly to performative activism, ‘slacktivism’ causes harm and undermines real social change because it requires minimal effort and commitment, and you can find out more about it here.
We can do better, and we can do more. So, here are some ways to turn online activism (and potential performative activism) into real-world impact.
Educate Yourself
First things first, we must educate ourselves and do the self-work in order to reduce our own implicit biases (because trust me, we ALL have them). And, if you really don’t know where to start, Harvard has you covered with their well-known implicit bias test. I believe that everyone should take it.
Once you’ve discovered some of those implicit biases, then you can begin doing the actual work. But why is doing the work important? The answer is because without doing the work necessary to understand both our own internal biases along with the external systems that shape them, we then become accomplices rather than allies. In these cases, folks end up inadvertently undermine the work of others trying to promote social change and equity. To learn how to become a better ally (as well as why is doing so important) check out this article.
Aside from reflecting upon our own internal biases or learning how to become a better ally, doing the work to educate ourselves about topics like racial injustice or gender inequality can look like a variety of things, such as reading literature (by folks with those particular identities) and watching documentaries. Here is a shortlist of potential resources (and personal favorites) where you can begin or continue your journey of self-work.
- Books
- “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi
- “This Bridge Called my Back: Writings of Radical Women of Color” Fourth Edition Edited by Cherríe Moraga, Gloria Anzaldúa
- “All About Love” by bell hooks
- “Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds” by adrienne maree brown
- “An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States” by Roxanne Dunbar Ortiz
- “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarnation in the Age of Colorblindness” by Michelle Alexander
- “There There” by Tommy Orange
- Movies/Documentaries
- Just Mercy directed by Destin Daniel Cretto & available on HBO Max
- An article on why you should watch this, here!
- When They See Us directed by Ava DuVernay & available on Netflix
- The Guest Worker directed by Cynthia Hill and Charles Thompson
- 13th directed by Ava DuVernay & available on Netflix
- An article on why you should watch this, here!
- Whose Streets directed by Sabaah Folayan and co-directed by Damon Davi & available on Netflix
- Lorena, Light-footed Woman directed by Juan Carlos Rulfo & available on Netflix
- Just Mercy directed by Destin Daniel Cretto & available on HBO Max
In addition to these resources, be sure to check out (and scroll down to) Novel Hand’s list of Equity Resources, ranging from podcasts to Black-owned bookstores.
Donate and Support Mutual Aid
If you have the means, donating money to credible funds can have a great impact. Something I have done this year, for example, is set-up recurring payments (even if they are small!) to a fund of my choice. In a few simple steps, you can do the same to fund a movement or cause of choice. Check out this link for an updated list of over 100 funds you can donate to today.
I also personally love and always advocate for anything and anything mutual aid related since it entails “people (who) work cooperatively to meet the needs of everyone in the community”. Mutual aid can be especially beneficial during this pandemic since some communities, especially communities of color, are suffering and cannot get the help they need from the government. If you are interested in mutual aid, or even potential starting a mutual aid work in your own community, check this article out.
Have those hard conversations + share what you know
It is important to note that his step comes chronologically after doing the self-work and educating yourself. Having hard conversations, such as about racial inequity, without having done the self-work to understand privilege, power, and the other systems at play can result in harm– especially towards the people you are likely trying to advocate for.
All that being said, when you know that you are ready to be an ally to marginalized communities, it is important that you engage in difficult conversations and attempt to chime in when you know or hear something is harmful (even if it’s coming from the people you love most– like your family or friends).
Having these conversations can certainly be challenging, but they provide the opportunity for folks to expand their knowledge and hopefully begin the process of minimizing their own implicit biases. Additionally, having these conversations especially in predominantly white and non-black people of color spaces helps to reduce a lot of the emotional labor that is often put onto Black folks and activists who are expected to educate everyone else.
Attend a Protest
Protests have historically been one of the most common and effective ways to initiate social and political change, and this year we have seen millions of people across the globe and within the United States march the streets with their demands. If you find that protesting is a feasible option for you, here are some things to keep in mind…
- Follow the lead of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) activists
- Black folks have been at the forefront of many major movements, so it is important that we continue to follow their lead, and see how best to support their efforts if we protest.
- Check out this Physician’s Guide on How to Attend a Protest Safely
- Make sure you let at least two close friends or relatives know your location at all times. Have them check-in every hour if possible.
- Know your rights as a protester.
- We are still in the midst of a pandemic, so wear a mask and try as best as you can to social distance when marching.
- Have a plan of action in case you get detained.
Contact Your Local Officials
When was the last time you called a local official or representative? Did you know you could? Well, the answer is, yes (And, you should!) Receiving calls and talking to constituents is one of the very many important jobs of elected officials, and it’s a way for you (as the constituent) to have your demands and concerns heard.
With just a few clicks of a button, you can use this resource to find a way to contact your local, state, and federally elected officials. Aside from calling, there are numerous other ways to get in touch with your elected officials to advocate for causes you care about. Check out this guide from the American Psychological Association that contains more detailed information on how to contact officials, who to contact, and even, what you could potentially say.
Get started, today!
Although online activism certainly has the perk of being more convenient, there are things you can do, even today, to move your activism offline. I also want to be sure to state that I am in no way opposed to online activism since it has become such an efficient way to educate and connect people on important issues all around the world; my critique of online activism applies to if it is the sole form of activism in your life. By taking a combination of all of these actions–both online and offline–you can truly learn how to become a real-world catalyst for impact and social change.
- Deep Roots: White Supremacy and the History of Anti-Asian Hate in America - March 19, 2021
- How to be an Anti-racist: Reflecting and Acting this MLK Jr. Day - January 17, 2021
- Five Ways to Take Your Activism Offline - December 15, 2020