I see activism as taking part in a group or movement that is supporting the freedom of or fighting for the rights to freedom of any group of society that is oppressed, disadvantaged, underprivileged, etc. I like the word activism because it says to be active in something, helping create movement and action. I would say before reading this article I would’ve thought you could only be an activist if you were a part of a movement, doing something to help on a larger scale, organizing event or marches, etc. I have always felt like I don’t do enough, I could and should do more, do better. I noticed that this way of thinking doesn’t ever propel me into lasting change, I can see it is limited in it’s all or nothing perspective. After this reading I feel more confident about doing what I can and that being ok and enough. From sharing ideas, learning, staying open and curious, listening and receiving feedback, getting a mentor, and all the tips on how to be a better learner are extremely valuable tools for navigating finding a place in the world to be of service.
I watched United in Anger, the history of ACT UP. I chose this film because I want to learn more about the AIDS epidemic as I don’t feel very educated about what happened, I have only heard snippets of stories and history over time. Living in NYC I feel it is such a presence here, so many people I come across experienced that time in a very real way, living through it and losing many friends. I didn’t know that the ACT UP movement was fighting for drugs to be released faster from the FDA. It really shows how complex different situations can be, given what we are currently seeing with people not wanting the COVID vaccines because they see that the FDA released them too fast. Every situation is very different and with the AIDS Epidemic they were fighting for their right to be considered in the decisions about the drugs, whether they could take them or not.
ACT UP, like a lot of movements, end up intersecting other issues which can bring light to complexity that multiple people deal with. In this case, one of those examples was the women’s movement that happened alongside and at times along with the ACT UP movement. In the film they show women fighting for similar causes, rights of their own bodies and to be a part of decisions made about birth control rights. These two issues intersecting at this time in history as well as having crossover cases. Women were being told by religious figures to not use protection during intercourse which was very dangerous given the rate AIDS was spreading.
As mentioned in this film, the power of people coming together and pressuring institutions and systems that be is incredible and can be monumentally successful. I could really see this from being in NYC for the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. Not only can you see how when people come together it can really make change on a bigger level, but being there also makes change on a personal level. Seeing and feeling the power of that movement at that time changed me forever. I think activism is impactful and I think it’s important for everyone to take part in being an activist in some way, because when you around change you learn to see people and see the truth, which then leads to real impactful change. I would like to find ways to be an activist in my life on a daily basis instead of just for the big things, I am happy to read this article and look forward to going back and reading all the suggestion pages.
I also found the intersecting of issues really interesting in “United in Anger”, the ways race and gender played into people’s access to care. I hadn’t previously known about how the MSM categorization of AIDS had prohibited women from having access to care. It was interesting to contemplate the different angles of that categorization. In one way it was a great step forward to have AIDS acknowledge and it to the the provision of great benefits to a lot of people in terms of insurance, care, housing, etc. But on the other hand the categorization was also stigmatizing and exclusionary.
Hi Clare, I agree with you about how you view activism. I also picked “united in anger” it indeed showed what it was to be in an era that not many people can live happily with their partner without being judged or hated for loving who they wanted to love. The FDA not pushing forth the experimental drug to help those with AIDS was horrendous. Looking at this from the outside broke my heart. It almost felt like a punishment that these people were going through, for the simple fact that they loved another man or another woman.
Hi Clare, I like how you emphasized the word activism itself. I agree that it’s a very fitting word since it implies that it is an active effort to engage in. I plan on watching that film next! I really like how you mention that you want to be more active in your day-to-day life, I think that’s a great attitude to have.
Hi Clare,
Thank you for sharing, I really enjoyed reading your response. I completely agree with you on your take on activism; I also like the word activism because as you said it sounds like a productive word and to me, professional as well. I think the film you choose is interesting; I was also skeptical about getting the vaccine because as you said the FDA released it so fast but when it comes to other vaccines for other things like measles or the flu then we aren’t as nervous or skeptical. It kind of makes you think of how media and society portrays things in the everyday world to persuade others into not doing things or into doing things.