Why Be An Activist?
IS ACTIVISM WORTH THE PAIN?
Why even bother trying? Why push back? Why stand out? Why leave your safe cocoon?
Activism is hard. Activism takes work. Activism can mean sacrifice.
Recognition is rare. Success can be elusive. Those dedicated to maintaining the status quo are well-funded and well-organized.
Fighting for change can be like fighting the mystical Hydra - a many-headed serpent or monster in Greek mythology that was slain by Hercules and each head of which when cut off was replaced by two others. One problem is finally solved, another two problems erupt.
So why bother? Why push for change? Why not just snuggle down to binge-watch the latest offering and hope the problems just go away? Or at least hope that someone, anyone but you, will speak out.
I’m certainly having one of those weeks where just giving up sounds like bliss.
No more fighting against appliances which kill, and then discovering the safe and environmentally friendly fix costs the consumer even more money. No more spending hours trying to jury-rig a 2-year old printer that won’t connect to ‘updated software’ - part of the constant planned obsolescence of expensive equipment and the shift to expensive repairs rather than products that last - all while blaming the consumer for waste. No more recycling, composting, and conserving electricity and water, because my already frugal usage is barely a drop in the bucket compared to the negative impact of private jets and yachts. No more fighting against insurance that never seems to pay claims. No more challenging the doctors who just write prescriptions instead of listening and trying to cure the underlying causes. No more paperwork to be part of class action suits for unscrupulous business dealings (this week I learned that Facebook stealing my biometric information was worth $30.61 - to them maybe, significantly more to me, but then I had no real say in the matter.). No more asking why some financial institutions play fast and loose with out money. No more trying to change the status quo in public health. No more trying to protect the elderly, the weak, the marginalized, all our children, the planet. No more being the bad guy for everything.
Activism can take many forms, but when we stop being activists, the hits will keep coming until we are all crushed. Not a single good thing has occurred throughout history without human effort. Every single time you refuse to settle, or you fight back, you are making a difference. Without activists, from the most simple actions to the big movements, the world will be a very inhospitable place for all of us.
Do bother trying. Push back. Stand out. Leave your safe cocoon. Don’t give up.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead