The reading “How to think like an Activist” by Wendy Syfret and the video “Knock down the House” both show the concept of activism and activist. In “How to think like an Activist,” Wendy Syfret describes an activist as someone who campaigns to bring about political or social change. The article offers a space for activists to learn from the past and look up to the future. According to Wendy Syfret, “Activism has always relied on the voices, vision, and energy of individuals to inspire and drive social change.  

Being an activist comes with a lot of learning, challenges, and responsibilities like the Wendy Syfret said, “Knowing your values will help you stay focused on the bigger picture and not become overwhelmed by an endless list of things you could be doing.” Activists fight for what they know is right for the people who are been oppressed one way or another. A member of our class Myweleman Ouattara also expresses this in their snapshot, and it quotes “Fight today for a Better Tomorrow.” Activists fight because “They cannot allow one more person to be killed by senseless gun violence. They cannot allow one more person to experience the pain of losing a loved one. They cannot allow one more family to wait for a call or a text that never comes and they cannot allow the normalization of gun violence to continue.” We can relate this to the past movement “Black Lives Matter” movement which went around the United States with the help of activists we all were able to come “together with a shared, clear, and powerful way to disrupt the state-sanctioned violence inflicted on communities of color.” I can also relate this to a classmate snapshot by the name of Sanae Butler their snapshot shows the images of people protesting and holding up signs saying “Black Lives Matters Today, Tomorrow, and Forever we are the change. Silence is violence etc..” When we keep silent everything remains the same but when we fight and take up the role of an activist we get to speak out and change things. The Internet and social media have really made it possible to communicate, organize and create real change, and through hashtags, we engage with the right people and audience that will help the cause better. Alexandria Ocasio succeeded through her campaign videos that went viral, her progressive ideas, and her ability to communicate her message clearly through grassroots movements with the help of like-minded activists. Activism that must succeed beyond social media must have clear ideas, demands, and a community of like-minded activists that share the same interest with clear and powerful Misson. 

The documentary “Knock Down the House” talks about four female candidates for positions in the House of Representatives. All candidates are all democrats whose aim is to fight for justice, give hope to the people, and provide affordable health care for all. Out of the four women, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is an incredibly good example of an activist. She fought extremely hard for the good of the people even though she might be looked down on because she was a woman, she never let that stop her from fighting for what she thinks is right. The biggest goal for the group of activists and women that worked together was to get things done by electing working people/everyday Americans for effective representation. We change the way we see politics and the government when we create a grassroots-powered movement that can be a real opposition to the current institutional powers. As an activist the “easiest way to learn is to talk to people who have been there and done that the same thing you are going for.” These people can help offer “Support, Motivate, Connect, and point you in the direction of other valuable and trusted resources. This was exactly what Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did, she was fearless and brought together people who shared the same interest as her and believed in what she was fighting for, and this was her road/way to success. She was able to answer the fundamental question, why you? The reason was that nobody else could challenge the political machines and the establishment. I love the fact that she engaged a lot of people in her movement and was able to succeed in a position meant to be occupied by a Man. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez winning the seat is meant to give us hope for a brighter future. 

Alexandria Cortez understood the needs of everyday Americans and she was able to organize and talk to members of her community which lead to a successful grassroots campaign. She had the courage and understood the power out there was an illusion and does not advocate for everyday Americans but for corporate interest. Activism is a powerful thing. It has the ability to change communities and lives and reorder the way we think about our place in the world.