As of the past few months, I’ve considered myself an activist. But in identifying myself as one, I’ve learned a lot of things about what it truly means to be an activist and how it’s shaped my identity.
1.) An activist is a teacher.
First and foremost, people need to know the reason I do what I do. Activists can chain themselves to monuments or flagpoles but if they don’t explain why they’re doing what they’re doing, they’re going to have a hard time finding people to fight with them in their cause. Activists educate people on what they’re fighting for and fighting against.
2.) An activist is a leader.
Pursuing activism has taught me to take initiative and be absolutely fearless. In order to promote my activism, I have to take the initiative to educate people and urge them to fight with me in my cause. Don’t ever have the attitude, “Someone else will do it” because that you may be the only voice fighting.
3.) An activist is a believer.
At the end of the day, activism is a labor of love. People all over the world are either on the cusp of death or die for what they firmly believe in. Nobody voluntarily dies for a cause they don’t believe in. Activism has taught me to be stubborn against the establishment I’m fighting against and reckless and fearless for what I’m fighting for.
4.) An activist is a voice.
I keep on talking about how I’m an activist so by now, you’re probably wondering what I’m an activist for. I’m an activist for human rights, free speech, and justice in Latin America. Heroes in countries such as Cuba and Venezuela face imprisonment or death because of their voices. It’s my turn to carry their voice in the US and not let anybody condone the behaviors of these oppressive governments. Cuban dissidents are putting their lives at stake from hunger strikes just to get a small grasp of US media attention. I will be that voice for those people to further educating the US on what it’s like to have a luxury that we take for granted—our voices.
5.) Being an activist is a lifestyle
I've learned that no matter what situation I'm in, I must always put my best foot forward. I need to live out what I believe in my everyday life, even when I'm not fighting for my cause. After all, a person is so much more believable when he or she lives up to his or her beliefs.
Change comes from everyday people. The more people take up arms and promote their voices, then change can happen. Change can’t happen if people remain silent.
1.) An activist is a teacher.
First and foremost, people need to know the reason I do what I do. Activists can chain themselves to monuments or flagpoles but if they don’t explain why they’re doing what they’re doing, they’re going to have a hard time finding people to fight with them in their cause. Activists educate people on what they’re fighting for and fighting against.
2.) An activist is a leader.
Pursuing activism has taught me to take initiative and be absolutely fearless. In order to promote my activism, I have to take the initiative to educate people and urge them to fight with me in my cause. Don’t ever have the attitude, “Someone else will do it” because that you may be the only voice fighting.
3.) An activist is a believer.
At the end of the day, activism is a labor of love. People all over the world are either on the cusp of death or die for what they firmly believe in. Nobody voluntarily dies for a cause they don’t believe in. Activism has taught me to be stubborn against the establishment I’m fighting against and reckless and fearless for what I’m fighting for.
4.) An activist is a voice.
I keep on talking about how I’m an activist so by now, you’re probably wondering what I’m an activist for. I’m an activist for human rights, free speech, and justice in Latin America. Heroes in countries such as Cuba and Venezuela face imprisonment or death because of their voices. It’s my turn to carry their voice in the US and not let anybody condone the behaviors of these oppressive governments. Cuban dissidents are putting their lives at stake from hunger strikes just to get a small grasp of US media attention. I will be that voice for those people to further educating the US on what it’s like to have a luxury that we take for granted—our voices.
5.) Being an activist is a lifestyle
I've learned that no matter what situation I'm in, I must always put my best foot forward. I need to live out what I believe in my everyday life, even when I'm not fighting for my cause. After all, a person is so much more believable when he or she lives up to his or her beliefs.
Change comes from everyday people. The more people take up arms and promote their voices, then change can happen. Change can’t happen if people remain silent.