#activism tips

“Be Water, My Friend:” 7 Tactics to Win Our Democracy Revolution | By Antony Dapiran, New Statesman 

Activism takes a lot of energy, both physically and mentally. Any person embarking on routes to be an activist should practice methods of self care. By definition, self care are activities meant to help marginalized folx to decompress. Activities such as walking the dog or sleeping past 10 are all examples of self care. Activists who spend hours organizing and dealing with repercussions of protesting i.e. police interference or counter protesters, need to ensure the stability of their mental health. It can become straining to stand hours in the street with messages of anti-nationalism and anti-fascist rhetoric written on leftover box pieces. Also, day-to-day oppression can keep us disenfranchised and dissociated from the events happening around us. So, here are so mindful self care tips: 

1. If you need to leave social media--thats OK

Social media platforms have become hubs for “trolls” (most of which are seeping white nationalists with nothing else better to do) and the verbal harassment can take a toll on our mental health. Also, constantly explaining your oppression to people with privilege takes A LOT of emotional labor. If you need to disengage with twitter, facebook, ig etc. then its alright. It can become too investing of our personal time and there’s alot of baggage with being public about social issues. 

2. Know Your Limits

Being activists who are also college students who are ALSO working class citizens can be a difficult combo for time management. It is important to know when you are at over capacity. If you feel like you can’t go to a specific event just say no especially if it is not mandatory on your part. Having a very spaced schedule can leave you at ease and feel less frantic. If you can handle a three class schedule, a sit in protest, and four hours of homework then by all means, go for it. But if you are like most of us who can’t seem to juggle everything at once then it is okay to cut the things you can’t do in a day. 

3. STAY AWAY FROM THE NEWS

News outlets are reservoirs of fear propaganda and with a Trump presidency, there is not much changing from the status quo. The fear of a new executive order that could possibly strip you of your rights can be an anxious feeling to hold over your head so maybe taking a break from the news by deleting your apps, muting CNN, or whatever can be in your favor. Not to mention news has become increasingly bipartisan, there is no use to it anyway. 

4. Clean your Friend’s List (both on FB and in real life) 

Finding people who are on your level of conscious awareness is difficult. Not all of us have the accessibility to certain information and our experiences tend to be sharper by the day but there is a fine line of just dropping people who either invalidate your experiences or thinks you don’t deserve rights in the most vague and implicit way possible. Make it aware to them that the agree to disagree is not the appropriate statement to use when discussing racism, sexism, homophobia etc because we aren’t talking about our favorite musicians no, we are talking about our human value in society. Also, remember that is not your duty to educate especially when its draining as a marginalized person to sit all day and discuss the faults of their oppressors. That’s why features like “unfriend” and “block” are so convenient. If they happen to be in real life friends then just make it clear: “I don’t want to be your friend anymore because you are racist.” It should be quite clear after that. 

In the long run, shrinking a friend group to those who will be there for you in times of political unrest and emotional damage are the ones to maintain. 

5. Maybe Parties aren’t the best

I know we all love to let loose with friends and get mildly intoxicated but falling back onto this type of atmosphere may be more toxic than good. Falling back on alcohol can release more of a bitter taste of loneliness and even trigger an anxiety attack for those who have anxiety disorders. From personal experience, using parties as a relief stabilizer did not leave me stable. In fact, I left the party crying into a bottle of Rosé. The aftermath was the least bit pleasant. 

Even if you think I’m a pompous ass for making this list, please keep these points in mind;

1) calling people idiots if they don’t acknowledge, for example, racist tendencies in police brutality isn’t going to convince them of anything.

Sure, be emotional to persuade along with logic, but don’t attack them personally. They will defend themselves instead of listening to your argument

2) mob mentality is dangerous. Always think before you act.

3) if another person gets killed by the police, look at the damn evidence before judging. Do not under any circumstance blindly follow what a single source said.

4) death threats are wrong. Yes, there are people who make them. Don’t be that person. You’re better than that

5) not every police officer is your enemy: some cops took time off to protest in Fergeson for justice and a trial. In the USSR a KGB captain regularly risked his life to warn the dissidents about upcoming raids and arrests. No organization is only bad guys.