I'm writing this for the local TG group newsletter. Would you please post your comments on how you would make the article better? I will read and consider all postings.
Thank you;
Karen
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Activism 101
by Karen
What can you do to make a difference?
I ask you, what is the difference you wish to make?
This is the hardest part, visualizing the difference you wish to see. It's very ZEN, but it's actually a very good starting point. So what is it you want to end up with? Who will it affect? Positively? Negatively?
Let's say, for example, you want to see greater understanding and respect towards our transgender community. How many do you want to show greater respect? Everybody? What kind of greater respect?
Another thing to think about is: What are your values? Never mind the policies or programs you want to see implemented. They grow out of your values. You know you have them, but can you articulate them to an audience? Values are, for example: "It's wrong to deny two people who love each other very much and have formed a stable bond the right to marry just because they fall outside a very narrow and strict definition of 'marriage'. Marriage needs no 'defense' – it, and the legal benefits that go with it, should be open to everyone without regard to race, creed religion, sexual orientation, or gender identification." There's a clearly stated value. And it will help in your activism to have on tap, ready to implement.
So, you pare your goals down a little more, try to get them more reasonable and achievable (without watering it down too much,) and start putting details into the difference you wish to see.
As you do this, you may find there are things that already fit your goals that you can support. Something like, say, the Federal Senate and House of Representatives' Hate Crimes bills, or the Employment Non Discrimination Act.
That suggests actions you can take, if these bills support your goals. You can do the obvious things such as calling/writing your congressional representative. You can also volunteer or donate to organizations that are actively working to encourage support of the bills, such as the Human Rights Campaign, or the American Civil liberties Union, or any other organization that you feel supports your goals.
What if you want to do something of a more personal nature? There are a myriad of things you can do in support of your goals. If you're good at writing, you can write and submit letters to the editor or guest columns to local and regional papers. Again, stick to your goals, and espouse your values. Programs are the nitty-gritty that implement values. Values are what get similarly-minded people to support and possibly even become activists themselves.
If you're photogenic, you could volunteer to appear on local community affairs programs. Check out the local TV stations and Community Access cable, and see if there are shows with similar – you got it – Values to yours. Call or write, explain what you are and what your values are, and say you'll be available for interview or panel discussions when they have a program on a topic that intersects your activist interests. Or, if you feel you can hold your own against direct attack, dive into the lion's den and make contact with shows that are diametrically opposed to your beliefs. They may fancy themselves to be like the pundits on their favorite conservative talkshows. You'll at least get three minutes to make a point or two before they start 'shut-upping' you...
There's the internet. Design and build a website that supports your goals. Fill it with good, valuable content. Produce videos, audio podcasts, write articles, and link, link, link to other sites that are aligned with your values and goals.
Attend demonstrations. Take the day off, if you can. Town Halls that are to be broadcast or netcast are also good forums, Practice what you want to say, and make one or two points in your three minutes at the mic.
Your job as an activist is to effect the change you want to see effected. It's also about getting the information out to motivate others by your example to become activists.
Finally, if you want others to take a particular action, finish your pitch with a clear call to action – tell them to write congress, or attend a protest, or vote for a proposition or candidate, but give them something they can do.
"Whatever you do may seem insignificant, but it is most important that you do it." – Mahatma Gandhi
