1) are you an activist by circumstance or choice?
2) are you an activist only in campus issues? do you reach out to other issues beyond those that are convenient to you?
3) what do you mean when you say that you stand in solidarity with something?
4) what drives you to become invested in a campaign?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1) i dont think its one or another. i think the the world we live in is fucked up and the more we learn the more we know. and with this privileged knowledge, i choose to be an activist.
ReplyDelete2) for the past 3 year, as a student, it's just been campus issues. It's easier to feel attached to these issues because they are student issues and also since they are easily accessible. There were emails about other rallies and issues off-campus, but i just thought i had a lot on my plate already that i couldn't engage in other issues. but i wish i did read about other issues and campaigns more. because recently, i have volunteered at this labor union call National United Healthcare Workers and I was able to talk to chinese homecare workers who are like my aunts and uncles and it just felt like i was doing something right and exciting. it was fun talking to them in cantonese but sad to learn about their working conditions and what they had to do. I wanted this experience earlier. but i guess, it's never too late.
there's a lot of issues out there to fight for and with. but a lot of these issues also intersect and affect each other in some way. So, sometimes when you are an activist for one issue, the work that you do will trickle through and help fight another issue. you know what im saying. and i think it's more effective for a person to buckle down and ride on with one issue and be you know pro at it, but still be able to support other issues.
3) to stand in solidarity with something, we would need to have shared interests and goals and mission. we would need to be united in all our efforts. we would not let each other down in any way. we would encourage each other and build upon one's strength and help with our weaknesses. we wholeheartedly believe in this something or someone and will do anything in our power to keep this bond
4) the issue. and the people.
1. Both. I was politicized by chance. I choose to stick with it for life. Activism or death? :)
ReplyDelete2. Def go beyond campus issues (even though I will say UCB is only a microcosm, blah, blah, blah..). Part two - yes and no. Yes I definitely reach out to many issues that are past convenience, but I am still prone to those that I am surrounded by as well. This could mean many different things.. for example, I am/was a huge supporter of the count me in campaign.
3. To stand in solidarity, at the very least is to be an active advocate for an issue (tell people about it whenever you get the chance, educate the less politically-fortunate, make phone calls, defend others, etc.). To stand in solidarity and go beyond simple advocacy is to pursue something as if it is your own cause (relentlessly).. because it is.
4. that moment of outrage backed by the tingling feeling of knowing/hoping that 'we can do better'
1. circumstnace, choice and chance.
ReplyDelete2. Yes and no. Technically, yes, the issues I've organized around directly affect students, but I also believe that what we learn and what we terach as we organize transcends beyond our campus.
3. What I mean is, I feel you. I understand that you're experiencing injustice just I have, just as my friends and family have. I will have your back in whatever way you need me to, in order to work through these injustices, whatever they may be.
4. What drives me? Underneath it all, anger and sadness. Because no matter what, I'll be pissed that things are as fucked up as they are. So I can either just sit around and be pissed, or do something about it. If I do something about it, then I'll at least know I have a slight chance at making things a little better.