How to Think Like an Activist by Wendy Syfret sparked a sense of gratitude and pride within me because it reminded me of how much I owe to those who came before me and how much I am doing to affect change. As a black woman in America, I am very aware that I am afforded so many liberties that weren’t available to black women who came before me. I owe so much gratitude to enslaved people who revolted, activists who fought for gender equity, activists who fought for black history to be taught in school curriculums, the list goes on. I am grateful for Activists and revolutionaries who braved so many hardships in their determination for change. It is because they did so much that I’m determined to continue the work. Syfret states that “change starts at home” and “the most powerful conversations happen in private” and I agree wholeheartedly. In my mind, seeking out information and challenging my own ideas wasn’t a form of activism; neither was informing or challenging family and friends about social matters. To me these are bare minimum, but these are actually very hard things to do, and many people aren’t doing it. Activism starts within, at home and in your immediate surrounding and I’m proud of myself for being the change I want to see and for guiding others on the same path, all that’s left is to continue and eventually expand into greater acts of activism.
“Girl Connected” left me felling very positive and hopeful for future generations. The documentary follows five teenage girls who are doing their own forms of activism for female liberation and empowerment in their respected countries. They tackle issues such as teenage pregnancy, child marriages, and gendered studies and interests. It is truly wonderful how these five girls involve their communities in their activism. Josi from Peru organizes assemblies in her neighborhood and at school to educate youth about sex safe practices; Michelle from Kenya leads a group for female empowerment; Ayesha from India teaches a karate class so girls can defend themselves from male attackers; Ghazal from Jordan leads activities that encourage girls to explore their creativity in areas that are considered only for boys; and Latifa from Bangladesh goes to different villages advocating against the practice of child marriages. They are each doing such amazing work, this new generation of girls are so determined and empowered and it’s a beautiful sight.
Naftara’s snapshot 5 which shows Meg thee Stallion’s performance highlighting the need to protect black women really caught my attention. For context, in 2020 Meg was shot in the foot by Tory Lanez after they got into an argument. Initially she tried to protect Tory by not naming him as her shooter, even going as far as lying to police that she cut her foot on glass. When social media got wind of the story, there came an influx of disgusting jokes justifying the shooting with transphobia, saying Tory saw a penis between her legs and shot her. Tory himself even liked a tweet that justifying the shooting. People on social media and media publications were running with their own story and offering her no sympathy to Meg and this prompted her to speak her truth. She named Tory as her shooter and said that she lied to the cops because she didn’t trust them to not escalate the situation and put her and everyone else involved in more trouble. Keep in mind that Meg is not someone that has beef with anyone, she amicable and friendly. However, she’s a female rapper, she’s in a musical space where men don’t want her to be; they hated her “hot girl summer” movement because it empowered women; they trash on her when she wins awards for her music; they attack her body saying she’s too tall, and muscular therefore she must be trans; they even call her ugly because her nose is broad. This amalgam of mistreatment she’s endured simply because she is a black woman is why she used her performance as means of activism. She wanted to empower black girls to stand up for themselves and for others to stand in solidarity with black women.
Activism isn’t just protests and marches, though that’s what people usually think of when they think about activism. As Girl Connected illustrated, activism can be leading an empowerment group in your community. As Wendy Syfret states it can be done online, at home, and in various ways. We all have some power in affecting change no matter how small you think it is, it can have a domino effect, so be the change you want to see and encourage others to do the same.
