Am I an Activist?: An Identity in Crisis

By Audrey Bang

I don’t like the term “activist”. The word smacks of self-righteousness, overt political correctness, and ungracious complacency; it reminds me of the pretentiously ignorant feminists I’ve encountered in high school and university. As I get to know people, I share and explain my identity as a writer, as a Christian, or my love for nineteenth century literature. But I’ve never stated, I am an activist. I’m passionate about activism.

Truthfully, the thought rarely crosses my mind. Yes, I write articles; I reluctantly engage in political and social discussion with my friends, classmates, and family. When I’m not doing either of those things, however, I devote my time to mundane, remarkably un-activist-esque tasks. I go for a walk. I wash my laundry. I watch my lectures via Zoom and half-heartedly attempt to type notes, all the while eyeing my phone, my bed, and my books. Compared to the likes of Greta Thunberg or Malala Yousafzai, my life resembles a twenty-first century, teenage re-telling of the myth of Sisyphus.

To state the obvious: if I am an activist in the conventional sense, then I’m a very poor one. Nevertheless, the denial or rejection of this term hardly seems like a preferable alternative. A quick glance at news headlines reveals that our world is paradoxically suspended in an ever-quickening state of crisis. I can’t stand the idea of sitting passively, relying on a single seventeen-year-old to save our climate; nor can I smugly observe the Trump administration destroy America’s paltry claims to “liberty and justice for all”. But as a university student with exams, essays, and encroaching concerns for the future, there are few attainable avenues at present to engender world-shaking change. As I grow older, there are three main lessons that I’m learning with regards to activism and identity.

1. Activism is not a glorified award, prize, or decoration.

Whenever I see someone place the word “activist” in their Instagram bio--- paired, of course, with rainbow, peace sign, and glitter emojis--- I pause and reflect. I think of people like Corrie Ten Boom, whose family endured persecution and death for their support of Jewish life during the Holocaust; I think of the students who died in the Tiananmen Square massacre. And, more recently, I think of the mothers, brothers, and children assaulted by rubber bullets, tear gas, and various forms of mob-like police violence at Black Lives Matter protests.

I don’t think that white people understand the gravity of this word. I certainly don’t! ‘Activism’ is not quirky, intelligent, or impressive; it’s the fight for life itself. Black men, Indigenous tribes, and LatinX communities daily grapple with the government and so-called fellow citizens for their basic rights and freedoms. For them, activism is not a brand or a hashtag; it’s an exhausting, debilitating struggle. When we assume that sharing an informational post or Twitter rant earns us the title of “activist”, we trivialize the suffering (not to mention the innumerable contributions) of the terrifyingly normalized battle for existence.

No, I don’t believe that we should abandon this title. Nevertheless, after commending these bold, compassionate heroes, let’s remember that these heroics should not exist. No one should need to fight for the right to go jogging (Ahmaud Arbery), sit on a bench (Jackie CrazyBull), or sleep in one’s own home (Breonna Taylor). If we understood the severe implications of activism, we would be far more hesitant to claim that word for ourselves.

2. Activism is not separate from the ritual or the mundane...

As stale as this may sound, I’ve realized that world-shaking change is not necessarily my personal responsibility. This doesn’t mean that I’m not obligated to do anything; on the contrary, I’m called to participate in the less obvious (albeit not less important) aspects of activism. I may not be able to join a protest or lobby Congress, but I can volunteer at my local homeless shelter, donate to reputable organizations, and sign legitimate petitions. Although my actions may never grace the cover of TIME magazine or the New Yorker, this doesn’t mean that they’re insignificant or worthless. Activism is not valued based on the degree of one person’s impact, nor the size of their audience; on the contrary, collective individual efforts make a world of difference. Here’s a small list of ways that we can all participate:

• Make the effort to educate yourself on one social, environmental, or political event or crisis per day. Take the time to read newspaper headlines, if your mental and emotional health enable you to do so (and if not, remember that self-care is not ignorance!).

• Report racist, sexist, etc. content online. If you see a disrespectful post, don’t simply shake your head and swipe past. Report the account. Insist on holding both the platform and the user accountable.

• Buy clothing from thrift stores instead of fast fashion brands! Goodwill, The Salvation Army, and Plato’s Closet are all great places to start. There’s nothing embarrassing or shameful about buying second-hand clothing: not only does this benefit the planet, but your payment often supports in-need and at-risk individuals.

3. … nor is activism separate from the religious.

I’ve rambled on for long enough now, so I’ll try to explain this last lesson concisely. If you’re religious like myself, you might also struggle to reconcile the realms of the political, social, and the [insert belief system here]. As a Christian, my identity is in Jesus Christ, I reason; does that mean I can’t call myself an activist? For some of the Christians I know, the word “activism” conjures up images of police-haters and political radicals, unrepentant degenerates threatening to undo the moral fabric of the American nation. When I was younger, I wondered whether they were right. If I identified as an activist, did that mean that I devalued or dismissed my faith? Did being a “good activist” equate being a “bad Christian”, and vice versa?

At the end of the day, I cannot tell you what you should or shouldn’t say. I don’t have that authority. However, if you’re a Christian (and/or perhaps question the hypocrisy of the American church), I ask that you consider the following definition and Bible verses:

Activism: noun. “the use of direct and noticeable action to achieve a result, usually a political or social one” (Cambridge Dictionary).

Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV)

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Isaiah 56:1 (KJV)

Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

1 John 3:17-18 (ESV)

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.