Activists Act
by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC
What is an activist? Who are they? What do they do? What do they want? Are they idealists or realists? These are some of the questions I ask myself daily.
I live in a way that emphasizes stewardship of the planet, people and animals. It’s not impact-free, but feels ethical, moral and conscientious - AND, I keep finding ways to make it more so. But, it’s not self-sacrificing or self-less. I do it because it benefits me - it feels good, makes my life more simple and enjoyable and gives me hope about the future.
Does the way I live make me an activist? Hardly. I only became in activist when I was willing to step out into the world with both my actions and my voice. My lifestyle is not hard, but speaking out about it definitely has been. Activism requires a voice and, just like the bumper sticker reads, sometimes that voice is going to shake. I’ve reluctantly taken on “activist” jobs for years now. I’ve participated in rallies, written letters and joined various task forces - finding safety in numbers. But there is one thing I’ve always been reluctant to do - talk about it in real life. Think about it - no one does this on any regular basis. We are taught to be non-judgmental….to live and let live…
However, we are at the point where “living” is not always keeping things living. Staying quiet about what we see, while hoping for change, just isn’t working. Although I’ve hoped that carrying about my own bags, water bottles and napkins would be enough to influence the people around me, I found out that it’s not. It’s taken courage to talk about it, make suggestions and provide information to people I’m close to, but I’m trying. I started with my family and now try to talk to friends whenever opportunities arise. It has been easier than I thought.
No Impact Man has committed to an extremely sustainable way of living - impressive and inspiring. His hugely successful blog and its following shows that people are influenced by his story or at the very least, curious about his experience. His lifestyle is not activism, but his blog is definitely a tool toward that end.
Martin Eakes, founder of Self Help, credits his mother for teaching him something important. He was told, “If you see a problem, it is your responsibility to fix it.” An activist is someone who makes an effort to see problems that are not being addressed and then makes an effort to change it.
December 10th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
i love your “voice” your voice is truth, caring, and loving…..all that is good in the world
December 10th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
i listen to you. your voice is important
December 11th, 2007 at 12:46 am
First off, this blog and the words you write are activism. And does activism need to mean realist? I think not, most of the time. But the important thing that I do, more and more everyday, it to strike up conversations, turn heads, and get people to think. Maybe my words, and I try very hard and am tactful and respectful (because if you do not have that, then you have a person/people that have just had there pre-conceived notions or ignorance leveraged) scare off people, want them to crawl in a safety shell or not address the issue at hand. But what I do and feel is so important, is to speak up at almost any cost and tell your story, express your convictions, explain your reasonings and bring your views to a point that echoes with the recipient and can resonate in some sort of way. I am an activist everyday, whether small actions or large, I try and touch one person, turn one head, or offer some information to get them thinking.
Thanks Tracey for all you do. You are a humble activist. This blog alone has furthered and inspired me to do more, seek the truth and make changes. It is like the activist chain that keep perpetuating…
August 17th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Since I was a little girl, I have searched for entities that are legitimately
capable of changing the world for the better.
I believe the world needs to investigate what’s located at http://www.FixTheWorld.info