For this week’s breakdown on the film and reading I have gone through very throughly. There was such a variation of perspectives and experiences from first-hand individuals that have endured some kind of oppression. Though everyone’s experience was different, everyone expressed the same anger, frustrations, and fear. All victims of gender discrimination, sexism, and disrespect want peace, change, and equity. The film I chose to watch was “Knock Down the House”, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is such an admired advocate who stands on her ideals of change and presents power in unity.

I feel like the reading “How To Think Like An Activist” by Wendy Syfret, compliments the film and goes hand ‘n hand with what an activist is. Which I feel like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, is and she is a prime example. Through the reading, Wendy speaks about famous movements that have contribute into today’s changes. Not only by explaining the significance these movements have but as well as breaking down the necessary passion people devote to these gatherings. The passion and desire for change is what motivates others to want the same as well. Change comes from within, meaning one has to start from where it comes from. It’s usually comes from adult figures in our lives like people who lived with you or took care of you. These individuals imprint their thoughts, beliefs, and bad attitude into your life so you’ll grow up with the same motive, mindset, and drive. Sometimes I believe is not intentional but most of the time is intended to spread more negativity, hate, and for change to be stop. The way I see it, one’s home is like an inside understanding of a person’s mentality, emotions, choices, and their wrongs.

A perfect example is our parents, meaning my generation’s of parents. They grew up different from how we grew up. Which causes rooted emotions that most parents have not resorted, which leads to chaos. Parents who grew up in another country had it rougher indeed and the fact that we have It “easier” in their eyes, it justifies their actions of hateful remarks, and lack of understanding. What our parents do not see is that we all have our difficulties no matter where we are, no matter what country we move to next nor neighborhood. We will encounter situations and hardships they have endured. Harassment, lack of respect, being hated on, being overlooked, or shut out. It is apart of life, no parent can protect their kid from those hardships. In some way it is going to happen because it is life and life is all about growing + changing + evolving.

With that being said, I am a very outspoken person and when a close minded adult or family member contribute to the misunderstandings and false accusations of oppression in whatever age group or ethnicities, I correct them. Though they feel disrespected because someone younger than them has corrected them. It needs to be done to spread awareness that change is okay, change is needed to evolve as a community and individuals. Wendy claims the home is where it begins and where change should occur. Many people like me will agree to that because it is our parents who teach us the way of life the way they lived it and what seems to not be understood is the fact that everything doesn’t stay the same, no matter how much you don’t change. The world will still change around you and you are not going to like being left behind because it is lonely. Being close minded is lonely, depressing, and miserable if I’m being honest.

Alexandria as many other women running for congress is so inspiring to see and listen too. These individuals come together through their shared experiences and emotions, which creates this space of comfort and safety to feel free in your own gender. I love to see how the challenges can be overwhelming for all, but they continue to thrive for themselves and other women. Especially when one can relate to their hardships and stories. Alexandra was a bartender from the bronx!!! The bronx where people are painted as dirty, not worth investing your time with and shamed on for growing up in different environment. Look at her now, thriving and it’s a beautiful example of if you want to, you can! Never let no one, no women or man tell you that you can’t because of who you are, where you come from or what you do for a living. Change happens for the greater good, for personal growth and elevation.

Seeing these women and people apart of the movement actually connect and work within the community is real, refreshing, and inspiring not only to me but other people who have been put down for “non realistic ideas of change”. Change happens with us, when we take the stand, when we realized we are in control and not those in power. Those in power manipulate others by feeding them orders and false truths to keep change from progressing. If change progresses, those in power lose their creditably, their position, their hold on the human race.

The film is not only inspiring but exposes the systems failures so many love to defend and cover up. The unfair and judgement these women endure for advocating their rights. I admire Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, I want to see more people like Alexandria, and I want to see more women wanting change as she does. In my opinion, Wendy descriptions of what is an activist/how to think like one and the necessaries, is AOC. Alexandria is the example, her drive, passion, and care is a beautiful example to the reading of how to think like an activist.