ACTivism Part XV

Written By: Puck Arks

ACTivism Part XV

One voice your voice can make a difference. One voice can encourage other voices to come out. When we are activists, we are making a statement. We are saying that it is not okay to oppress others and the basic rights of human beings. We are shedding light on the inequality and injustice that has unfortunately become the norm of society. No matter who you are, what language you speak, the beliefs you practice, and the land you were born on, you are human, and you should be able to use your voice and all peaceful means necessary to have your message heard. 

1. Work to get people to think in terms of ‘us’ instead of the I. 

2. Work to encourage people to see themselves as part of a wider historical movement, instead of as consumers of materialistic items.

3. Try to inject your hope for social change in the hearts of others, explain to them how you are happy without the poisons of materialism.

4. Organize your life and your time, so that your actions serve a purpose in advancing the cause.

5. Speak simply, avoid intellectual mumbo jumbo, the simpler your language the more effective it is.

6. Always remember that intellectuals are paid to make their language as obscure and distant from the people as possible.

7. Always remember that academics are essentially paid to be ineffective at communicating vital messages to the masses.

8. Even if a professor has politically subversive ideas, it’s meaningless if he/she cloak them in a highly specialized language.

9. It is your job to make information and ideas accessible to the people. 

10. Find corporations that exploit child labor overseas and tell others about these practices. 

11. You must de-commercialize your life to the extent that de-commercialization is possible.

12. You have to begin to establish relationships based not on schools and jobs, but based on social consciousness and direction.

13. Remember that those around you are paid to question the direction of any life which does not fit perfectly within the social mold.

14. If you are not in school, take the time to audit a class and speak to students about their political awareness.

15. Hand out pamphlets on campuses, but do not become obsessed with the campus scene, your message must spread in society as a whole.

16. An activist does not see the world in terms of selfish success, an activist sacrifices their very being to the body of the cause.

17. To learn about spreading the message to the people, read marketing books that teach businesses how to spread their products.

18. Create tools to spread consciousness. 

19. Write a political essay on any institution which you stand against.

20. Fax/email or write to the CEO of a large company explaining the environmental destruction that he/she are presiding over.