How to be an Activist Without Attending a March

When I first entered into the world of environmentalism, I didn’t understand the difference between a march, a protest and a riot. Since then, I have attended climate strikes, Reclaim the Night and pride events but there’s also been many a march or protest that I’ve turned down. And that’s okay! My point is that activism is not just about taking to the streets - there are so many other ways to remain an active participant in social justice issues that cater to everyone. I pride myself in being a social justice activist, and this is what I’ve learned over the years about the many ways you can participate.

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Online Activism

This often gets a bad rep or called ‘clicktivism’ – the idea that people think clicking makes a difference when bigger things need to be done. And it’s a fair comment, because often people click before they think, or click as a replacement for action. This doesn’t mean that online activism can’t be good – there is no way that a global climate strike would have been able to happen if it wasn’t for social media, news reports and online content. Online forums provide a safe space for like-minded people to come together and create meaningful action. Sign those petitions – just check that they’re backed with meaningful statements and action plans for if they reach the minimum required votes to be spoken about in Government. Give platforms to marginalised voices and share viewpoints that get overshadowed and spoken over. Start ripples of alternate patterns of thought by sharing something a little different to the usual content your online community would see.

Start a Discussion

Following from online, having conversations about the real deal issues of today is a super important way to elevate awareness. Have discussions on social justice topics with people who you respect and who respect you; the power to influence lies predominantly within your immediate social circle. Don’t bother with the climate-deniers of the interweb, they don’t respect you and you don’t respect them. Chat to your friends and family, the biggest resource to mobilise is your close circle. They might not share your view, in fact they might oppose it and offer you alternative opinions, but that’s healthy and how change is generated.

Educate Yourself

In order to share, you must also learn and grow. Often these will occur simultaneously, but before shouting demands or taking a stand on a social justice issue, get to grips with the basics. The who, what, where, when and why. Who is being affected? What is happening? Where is the power? When do we need change? Why is this important? If you want to discuss at length with someone about your social justice issue, be ready to explain more than just ‘climate change is bad’, ‘the refugee crisis is terrible’, ‘we need to do something, just because’.

Join a Group

Chances are, there are people that feel passionate about the same issues as you. These may be local residents who can help enact change within your neighbourhood, or maybe they’re online friends targeting the same issue overseas. In community, you can find strength, solidarity and support. If you are struggling in finding your group search within societies at your institution, Facebook groups or approach branches of big charities.

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Remember, you’re doing the best you can! Being an activist can take very active forms but also passive ones, and just like everything else in life, it’s about a balance. Activist burnout is a real issue and if we are going to cause the systemic change we need in this world, it’s going to take a long-term strategy. You wouldn’t run a marathon at the pace of a 100m sprint, now would you? Use these tips to take the slow-and-steady path, take care of yourself and enjoy being a more effective activist!

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Author: Holly