As a kid, I grew up with activism. My father has been with his union for decades and raised me on the
picket line. When other kids were playing street football or watching cartoons, my dad was bringing me
to rallies and protests. I hated it, and would beg me parents not to go. They would reply, "How do you
think the farm workers we are fighting for feel? They work in the sun for countless hours. One hour won't
hurt you." I was unable to comprehend how important these odd events filled with men and women
fresh off of the nine to five really meant. It didn't matter how many picket signs I held or rallies I
attended.
As I grew older, I was able to grasp the reasons why I was standing out in the hot sun chanting
slogans. My change in perspective on activism had to do with personal experiences. The simplest things,
such as working minimum wage jobs and not getting let on the bus because I looked like a hoodlum,
forced me to face injustice and the need to fight it.
Nowadays, I see activism everywhere. Its wings are expanding everyday -- you see it walking down the
street, going to get some coffee, dancing at concerts, and being written on brick walls. It seems like
everybody is trying to "free" somebody, or to be against the latest big-name corporation. The current
popularity of activism today can't be denied, and everyday reaches new people to shed light on struggles
that we all face.
But as its popularity rises and becomes more and more accepted by the mainstream, activism is running
a great risk of becoming diluted of its meaning. Activism may be gliding effortlessly across college
campuses, poetry slams, and neighborhood campaigns, but its foot might get caught on a hurdle called
"trendy." What if, for example, the Gap started making "Ché" and "Malcolm X" shirts? Would that be
positive for the raising awareness?
I am happy that young people are now willingly going into activism, and not being forced to into it as I
was when I was a kid. But the activism seems to have morphed into more of a form of expression than
an agent of change. You can wear activism if you buy the right clothes, say it, if you use the right words.
Everywhere you turn, you see a political figure on a shirt. Don't get me wrong, as a trend it is much
better then a trend of violence or racism. But trends need to be careful about its steps. People cannot
mistake fashion for the real thing.
Trends tend to fade and I wouldn't want to see activism go out like another pair of MC Hammer pants.
Activism is ultimately not about what lingo you speak, or the music you listen to. It's what sacrifices you
are willing to make for yourself and for others.
picket line. When other kids were playing street football or watching cartoons, my dad was bringing me
to rallies and protests. I hated it, and would beg me parents not to go. They would reply, "How do you
think the farm workers we are fighting for feel? They work in the sun for countless hours. One hour won't
hurt you." I was unable to comprehend how important these odd events filled with men and women
fresh off of the nine to five really meant. It didn't matter how many picket signs I held or rallies I
attended.
As I grew older, I was able to grasp the reasons why I was standing out in the hot sun chanting
slogans. My change in perspective on activism had to do with personal experiences. The simplest things,
such as working minimum wage jobs and not getting let on the bus because I looked like a hoodlum,
forced me to face injustice and the need to fight it.
Nowadays, I see activism everywhere. Its wings are expanding everyday -- you see it walking down the
street, going to get some coffee, dancing at concerts, and being written on brick walls. It seems like
everybody is trying to "free" somebody, or to be against the latest big-name corporation. The current
popularity of activism today can't be denied, and everyday reaches new people to shed light on struggles
that we all face.
But as its popularity rises and becomes more and more accepted by the mainstream, activism is running
a great risk of becoming diluted of its meaning. Activism may be gliding effortlessly across college
campuses, poetry slams, and neighborhood campaigns, but its foot might get caught on a hurdle called
"trendy." What if, for example, the Gap started making "Ché" and "Malcolm X" shirts? Would that be
positive for the raising awareness?
I am happy that young people are now willingly going into activism, and not being forced to into it as I
was when I was a kid. But the activism seems to have morphed into more of a form of expression than
an agent of change. You can wear activism if you buy the right clothes, say it, if you use the right words.
Everywhere you turn, you see a political figure on a shirt. Don't get me wrong, as a trend it is much
better then a trend of violence or racism. But trends need to be careful about its steps. People cannot
mistake fashion for the real thing.
Trends tend to fade and I wouldn't want to see activism go out like another pair of MC Hammer pants.
Activism is ultimately not about what lingo you speak, or the music you listen to. It's what sacrifices you
are willing to make for yourself and for others.
| Hispanic Institute of Social Issues © 2006-2011 All rights reserved. webmaster@hisi.org |
By Martin Rocha
Activism seems to have morphed into more of a form of expression than an agent of change.
Is Activism Acting?
Published by the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues in Phoenix, Arizona
|
| HISTORY IS ABOUT TO CHANGE Grassroots Journalism |
ACTIONS The current popularity of
activism today can't be denied, and
everyday reaches new people to
shed light on struggles that we all
face.
Photo illustration by Eduardo Barraza
activism today can't be denied, and
everyday reaches new people to
shed light on struggles that we all
face.
Photo illustration by Eduardo Barraza