The Art of Activism
"We need to practice, mess around, and make mistakes."
Sometimes it's hard to accept that our work is not going to be perfect the first time. We set our expectations so high for ourselves that not achieving them on the first try is discouraging. It is comforting that this is a process we all go through, not just as artists or activists, but as people. It is important to make mistakes, to mess up a little bit what we have done so that we can find these flaws and do better on the next try.
"If we only act when we are outraged, then that outrage is either going to consume us alive and burn us out pr ebb over time and leave us without motivation."
Although this part has some reason, I don't entirely agree. I believe that from our emotions can always be born something incredible and impacting. Each of our emotions are important and I personally believe that anger and discomfort are incredibly impactful. Of course, eventually, this anger goes away. However, what it leaves, this great path of fire represents great change and other things that can be born. Doing things with love or anger doesn't make that much difference, it will always leave a great impression because it comes from a person who allowed themselves to feel these emotions, live them and express them.
"There is often an expectation for people who take any political stance to have the 'right' position on everything: to be a master-in-all-things, an angel without wings. This criterion haunts the field. We sometimes force this unreal standard upon ourselves; other times is forced by critics and pundits with the charge 'hypocrite!'"
One of the things I find most hypocritical is not accepting change. That we are all beings in constant transformation. What I thought or the position I held yesterday is not going to be the same as the position I hold today. And the reason is simple, because I have learned more than yesterday, I have lived more than yesterday and now I think differently than yesterday. Our ideas and positions will change, adapt, evolve or disappear. This does not make us hypocrites, it makes us human.
:)
Megan
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