My definition of activism is when we the people decide that we want change to happen in our society and work together to achieve that common goal. It is the act of standing up for what you believe in and fighting for a difference you want to see become a reality. Whether that be through the act of marching, going on strike, boycotting, or peaceful protesting there are so many ways as an activist to get people on board and make sure your voice is heard.
The film I watched was United in Anger, and it went into great detail about the aids epidemic and the activist group behind it, ACT UP. ACT UP was brought together by people who had lost their loved ones to aids, had been diagnosed or just people who wanted change before things got worse. The government and FDA were not funding the aids research and things were being taken at a literal pain-staking pace, so people took to the streets and organized an association that aimed to get drugs to combat aids faster and prevent more people from dying.
One major moment of activism I remember vividly engaging in was during my senior year of highschool my friend and I attended a climate strike. It was to spread awareness in Manhattan about the Earth dying and how we can all do little things to save the planet in the long run. It was a really fun experience honestly and it felt very energizing and powerful to be surrounded by so many people who cared about the same thing as me. Also, marching around the huge streets of New York all day made my voice feel heard. I would realistically also engage in the activism around gender justice most likely by joining a similar march.
One quote I really enjoyed from How to Think Like an Activist was when Syfret went into detail about how the youth can still be powerful activists despite being young. “Fresh voices have a distinct ability to break through discourse…reach the heart of issues and make people engage…What younger activists might lack in direct experience they make up for with ingenious ways of thinking.” She then brought up the famous example of Greta Thunberg, which coincidentally at the climate strike I attended, she was there and let us hear her speech which really fired up the crowd about making a change.
Hello Kayla, I share the same thoughts on what activism is. I feel that this weeks films and readings had en extensive amount of information in regard to all things activism. I think a key factor that activism entails is valor because I feel that many individuals are aware of the need for change, but don’t find it prevalent enough to engage in activism, no matter how big or small that act.
Learning that the government and FDA did not fund aids research is shockingly disturbing, but it goes to show how important activism is.
Attending a climate strike in high school is great because in How to Think Like an Activist, Syfret mentioned how vital the youth is for activism. You even mentioned one of the quotes about the power that the youth can bring to activism.
Thank you for your response.
HI Kayla,
I also went to the climate strike my senior year of high school. It was wild and full of people, but the adrenaline kept pumping. I remember being right in front of Bill De Blasio too.
Hi Kayla,
I also watched the film United in Anger I found that the film was very informative. I feel that ACT UP was a great way for people to get their points across and get the rights that they desperately need to survive.
Hi Kayla,
Lucky for you we are in a city of huge marches and activism! Did you attend the women’s march? Sounds like another that would feel empowering to you.
Act Up is such an important organization and cause., still around today. During the AIDS epidemic the govt completely ignored THOUSANDS of people dying. It’s appalling and its good this documentary helped shed light on that. Thousands of people stripped of humanity and not deemed worthy of living, just because they are gay.
This was government-sanctioned genocide.
A climate strike is such a good example of activism protesting to make earth a better place. The place you choose to spread awareness is perfect Many people & Many tourists. I wish I was there to join the strike There are hundreds of things I would’ve been able to tell the people to help save the environment.
The Black Lives Matter is a good example of activism protesting because they want to have respect of the White people and made the world unified.