Activism - How to?

Ways of activism - Easy or not?

Are you an activist? Are you wondering how to go one step further? Maybe one step below?

Here we have the solution to your activism doubts and fears! Take a look.

People's principal problem related to activism is time. Working, sleeping, eating, chatting... Time flows and suddenly we find ourselves wondering how to make a difference, how to make some change in the world, compatible with our way of living... but actually it can be the other way around! Paradoxically, if we have plenty of time, we may feel overwhelmed because of it. People's lifestyle is constantly changing. You may have much time and strength to put or you may not. In any case, it's not a problem anymore! Let's talk about ways of activism that you can surely adapt to your way of life, no matter what yours is. Even by spending 10 minutes a week you can make yourself an activist!

Here are some ways of activism that you may not know :

• Sharing information: It's the fastest way of activism, but it doesn't mean it's less important! Nowadays, a success key for any campaign is the way it spreads. Activists are crucial for it.
• Petition Sign: As fast as sharing information once you create your account. Webs like Avazz or Change.org are good examples of petition sign places. You have a link below in which you can see some of their last victories achieved by this kind of activism. This is one of the greatest examples of the positive effects of e-activism and worldwide cooperation.
• Emailing public figures: By sending letters or emails either to persons or organizations you can put some pressure on any misconduct.
• Participating in awareness programs: Organizing events is a great way of spreading information, produce debates and give some informal education.
• Verbal intervention: Not keeping silent while seeing an injustice situation is a natural and important way of activism. 
• Physical volunteering: By being a volunteer, you support the reality you want to see. It requires much time but it also will make you learn either personally and professionally. There are many ways of volunteering, find the one that fulfills you the most! 

Activism Traps?

Being an activist is a very valuable asset to society. Posting, supporting demonstrations, etc are a vital part of a healthy democracy and of an active citizen. We should make ourselves be heard as a society. It's crucial we believe in the power of active people in order to change things and make this world a better place in which tolerance and solidarity are above economic interests and hate. But... sometimes we don't have as much time as we would like to have, we want to support the things we believe in, but it gets harder and harder combining them.

I have had situations in which, in order to keep supporting my principals, I have supported movements, associated with organizations, post things without even having read about them -without really know what their objectives are! It's possible -and we should understand that it can be tricky. By posting, we project an image that influences people we care about, an image about ourselves and reality. It's a serious issue. 

Sharing information can be dangerous to do it so lightly. For sure a big percentage of the times, we are posting what we really want to say, things that are really happening and have to be shown up. Sometimes we are not. Spreading fake news isn't an intentional thing normally. Anyway, it can happen so we should be aware. Checking what we want to post with some other sources and other points of view is an enriching and wise thing to do. By discussing and reading about it we should be able to understand reality in a better way, have a more accurate opinion -a critical way of thinking- and even be able to detect fake or subjective news faster. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Sources:
 https://en.reset.org/act/how-make-difference-%E2%80%93-tips-effective-activism
 https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/44000/act700032009eng.pdf
Links:
https://www.change.org/l/us/13-victories-that-changed-the-world

Author: Juan I. M.