How to #StayOutraged Without Losing Your Mind
(from January, but the advice is still valid)
Important caveat: Im not saying we collectively should pick a few issues and let everything else fall by the wayside. Please dont confuse me with those saying we have to abandon identity politics if we want to make progress on economic inequality (or vice versa). This is advice to individuals, not the party or the movement as a whole.
Another important caveat is that you shouldnt actively undermine other peoples issues. Just because you arent personally excited about something doesnt mean its not important. The only way this works is if lots of people focus on lots of different issues, with the result that all the important stuff gets covered. So dont be in the business of trying to convince people to switch their allegiance from one issue to another. Dont tell people to stop talking about racism because climate change is more important, or that health care can wait because we have to focus on LGBTQ rights. Its all important.
The movement works as a coalition of people focused on different issues, so dont let anyone convince you that by focusing your energy on one or two issues, you have effectively sided with the bad guys on everything else. Ignore people who say things like, youre not a real feminist if you arent working to protect the environment or youre betraying the cause of economic justice if you dont show up for prison reform. Thats all nonsense. There is a spectrum of support, and nobody can be everywhere at once.
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Dont let anyone tell you that humor has no place in the movement, or that you arent allowed to be proud of your contribution, or that its unseemly to have fun while youre doing serious work. Thats all bull, and its counterproductive to boot.
As Saul Alinsky wrote in Rules for Radicals, protest and activism is supposed to be loads of fun for the protesters. (And I can tell you from personal experience that hes right.) If youre not enjoying yourself, youre doing it wrong.
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Dont forget to play to your strengths. Theres no need to force yourself to do a kind of work that you find unpleasant or boring. If youre a writer, write articles shedding light on important issues, convincing the other side or rallying your allies to action. If youre an artist, make art with a conscience. Teachers can bring social justice into your curriculum. Lawyers can volunteer at free legal clinics, write amicus briefs, do pro bono work. Like to argue? Be the one who calls out the sexist comment at a dinner party when everyone else doesnt know how to react. Love to bake? Bring cookies to activist meetings and homeless shelters. No matter what your passion is, theres a way to use it for good and have a great time doing it.
https://thecoffeelicious.com/how-to-stayoutraged-without-losing-your-mind-fc0c41aa68f3