What Can We Do?

In order to change the world, I think first I have to change myself. I have to get rid of all the stigmas that I have learned throughout my life and start to think about what’s wrong on the media and society. Once I have looked into my own prejudices and privileges, I can start inspiring people by doing what any other person would do. Work hard so that my community could prosper and try to think of the consequences of my actions and words before I act on them. And not wait for somebody else do the work for me. It is true what June Jordan said: “we are the ones we have been waiting for”. We can make a difference.

If all of us would do that, then there would be no discrimination and no oppression. But we think that is just wishful thinking. That not everyone is going to do that because humans are greedy by nature. Even if that might be true, we can still do something to change things for the better if everyone gives their support, as little as it may be, as long as it helps our society. Just as Angela Davis said, “please get involved, please try to make a difference, please try to turn this country around”.

Being a good Activist

I think a good activist is someone who just does not talk about changing but also act on them. Someone who acknowledges all the isms in society and cooperates on eliminating them by educating themselves reading “good books”, educating others, but letting their actions speak more than their words, and volunteer whenever possible. This has to come from your heart if you are really committed. You have to be optimistic because even though the world may not seem so perfect, you know that there is goodness in people. You have to be brave because the world may be against you when you speak up your mind or act. And you also have to be a good listener in order to understand that others are going through. One of the videos talks about one way to act is to vote and also run for office. In the US, we live by democracy and I think that’s a great way to change the world.

I don’t really know any other activists, but the videos of today showed me that Bell Hooks is a great activist because she goes to speak to colleges, has written books to enlighten us, and firmly believes in what she does.