Activism, as we know it, is taking charge to make a revolutionary change. Promoting any development towards any topic such as political, cultural, social, environmental and more. These ongoing courageous efforts may occur in a variety of forms. Spreading a hashtag online, marching around streets, hosting listening events, starting a book club, or putting up flyers. Furthermore, participating in any type of activism against a condescending issue has been a continuous phenomenon, constantly watching history repeat itself to this day. 

In our day to day lives, it’s very rare to look around and recognize how everything we have was fought for. We have more than what anyone else had back then, the freedom, liberty, privacy, security, knowledge and the list goes on. As the article noted, these movements pioneered and motivated new levels of protesting and encouraged strategies in our society. The way we value freedom, equality, authorization was fought for us many years ago. Activism has always been one of the most effective ways to lead a point, as it continues to be happening in places with distinct methods. There is a plethora of young generations who could use other alternatives to spread their voices to large platforms. Change will quickly broaden before we even know it.

Over the years, women have proven and acknowledged their talents in several different fields. As they continue to be undermined, women have continued to fight off gender discrimination, violence, and more. There is nothing a woman can’t do when influencing others, if she is determined in her own skin. As the video progresses, each of the young women go on to show great will-power and motivate the people around them to change their lives as well. Gender inequality is something extremely normalized all around the world, as men are constantly being seen as the superior, “stronger” gender who are more capable of handling male dominated jobs and working areas. Women have continued to defend themselves against this issue and elaborate hope for young girls to show they are able to do anything men can. This topic has sparked a lot of attention throughout the media and people always share their opinions on it, however women experiencing doubt in misogynistic environments continues to be common. 

Let Every Voice Be Heard!

            Activism is the main reason why we can do many of the things we do every day. Somethings we take for granted and some we are serious about, from freeing the slaves, women’s rights to vote, black lives matter, and of course a woman’s right to choose and make important decisions about their own bodies when it comes to abortion.

            I think we should say a word of thanks to the French because they were the ones who kept activism moving along. Although the French paid a bloody price with the execution of thousands including their king and queen, they kept the movement going, which eventually saw some sort of change happen for countries like Ireland, Haiti, and Spanish colonies in Latin America. Later India joined the activism movement with the help of Ghandi whose approach was different than the French. His way was done peacefully by gathering a group of people who marched for the most ridiculous causes I have ever heard, collecting and selling salt. Imagine having to protest for the right to sell salt. Gandhi’s nonviolent form of activism and defiance was able to activate real change like being guaranteed a seat in a conference in London. Even though he was arrested together with about 60,000 people, this activism helped lead to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

            The suffrage movement in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries helped give women the right to vote, but the only drawback to this was, women of color were excluded, they were not given the same rights as white women. Like France and India, the result led to a bit of a change. It is also believed that women are less capable of doing things that men do, such as running as a political candidate. This is all a part of the patriarchy. Imagine running for political office and being worried that you will end up dead or missing in a coal mine in West Virginia. Well, this was the fear of female political candidate Paula Jean Swearengin. In the video “Knock Down the House” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez states, “For every 10 rejections you get one yes, that’s how you win, never give up.” This the strong solid message she was giving female political candidates.

            Activism changes people, things, and places, when we go out in large numbers peacefully, to demand change, politicians listen to us. Sexual abuse of women brought forth the Me Too movement. As we all know, quite a few prominent men had to step down from their high paying jobs due to this kind of activism. Activism is also fighting for diversity, making a change should not have a face and must include people of all walks of life. I can’t forget the activism that the Parkland students demonstrated after their tragic loss, this vitality opened the door for a young Swedish girl named Greta Thunberg who stood up for a cause she firmly was passionate about, climate change. Overall, activism can show itself in many different ways, it can be a young child or a little old lady walking down the street with a cane. As long as we put our minds together and fight until we get what we want and need, we will continue to change the world.