Welcome! If you are here looking for resources on how to get involved in activism, you have made a crucial step from bystander to upstander. You’ll find resources here on how to get started making a difference in your community.
I coined the term ‘potential activists’ to describe those of us who, for whatever reason, have not taken the step to participate in a change effort. Potential activists need resources on how to get involved in activism.
Jeff’s Story
Jeff is a potential activist. His story highlights how using the skills you have right now could make a difference in your community:
“Me? An activist?”
Jeff works for a construction company running fiber cable to support internet service. On a lunch break, Jeff chats with his coworker Rabel. Rabel tells him that he and his wife will be helping out at the Remote Area Medical (RAM) event in their town. RAM provides free health care for people who can’t access it through traditional systems.
“Wow, Rabel, that’s great. How did you get involved in this?”
“My wife’s dentist volunteers there. Since Maya’s activism is improving healthcare options, she signed up to help. And brought me along,” he chuckles. Glancing at Jeff, he asks, “Do you want to give it a try?”
“I don’t have activism skills. I wouldn’t know what to do.”
“Well, I’ve seen your on-the-job skills, and RAM could certainly use help with providing the right utilities to each of the medical areas.”
Jeff never went to college, but his experience doing freelance cable installation got him into his current company. He had no idea his skills could be used to help support activism.
So, Jeff worked with Rabel that weekend. The long lines of people seeking medical care was sobering. The staff’s dedication touched him deeply. And he realized that he could use his skills to support causes important to him.
Like Jeff, many people feel like they could never be an activist. Still, the truth is everyone has the potential to make a difference, regardless of their skills. Here are some resources to help you overcome doubts and explore ways of making a difference in your community.
How to Get Involved in Activism by Overcoming Concerns
I love to hear the stories people tell about their lives. Since I wrote The Happy Activist I’ve had the privilege of hearing many activism stories.
The direction of most activists’ journeys is moving from a place of indecision to that first step off the sidelines. And, eventually, meaningful activism that is perfect for them.
You can take that first step, too.
What People on the Sidelines Say
When I talk to people who are still on the sidelines, their stories vary. Some don’t think about social change and many express concerns about stepping up.
Which of these concerns resonate with you? Browse the resources that best match your life.
1. “Me? An Activist?”
For some people, activism has never been on their radar. Perhaps it is because they have prioritized other things, such as family or work.
For others, it may be because they don’t directly experience injustice. For example, in the US, white, heterosexual, Christian men hold many privileges. This makes it difficult to put themselves in the shoes of someone who experiences injustice or oppression.
But at some point, everyone realizes they should take a stand for something. What is your reason for making a difference in your community?
How to Create a Vision of a Joyful Life: A joyful life is one in which we experience fulfillment, purpose, and passion. A vision of what that looks like for you points to you to your passions.
What is Your Life Vision: Being clear about your life vision means you will live your values in all you do, including activism.
The Intrinsic Values Test: Find out what you value most in the world and compare that to those of other people.
Check your Privilege: From Buzzfeed. Many activists talk about how evaluating their privilege shifted their perspective and allowed them to better understand those who don’t hold privilege.
2. “One person cannot make a difference.”
Everyone can make a difference. Through years of activism, successful movements like the Civil Rights Movement achieved landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. A multitude of ordinary people made this progress in racial equality, each doing their part.
The environmental movement has contributed to numerous successes, including banning harmful chemicals, creating protected areas, and advancing renewable energy sources.
You can make a difference, just as you are right now.
Everyone has concerns of some kind. They just might not look like those of others.
I usually follow up “Those causes don’t concern me” with questions like, “What worries you in your community? One person paused to ponder my question, finally answering that his daughter fears climate change will ruin her future. Because of her ‘climate angst,’ she is showing signs of depression. I asked, “What can you do to help your daughter feel more control over her future?” He came up with some great ideas that he could do with his daughter.
80,000 Hours: You work for 80,000 hours in a lifetime. Make it count. This website has resources for career planning, but the main focus is on impacting the world.
How to Create a Vision of a Joyful Life: A joyful life is one in which we experience fulfillment, purpose, and passion. A vision of what that looks like for you points to your passions.
What is Your Life Vision: Being clear about your life vision means you will live your values in all you do, including activism.
4. I could never be an activist,” or “I don’t know enough,” or “I don’t have activism skills.”
Some people say they could never be an activist because they don’t have the right skills.
In the 5-Step Activism Path, I encourage people to start by understanding the skills and knowledge they have right now. Everyone has their ‘ordinary superpower,’ or something they are the go-to person for. Use it to make a difference in your community.
As you begin your efforts, you can develop valuable skills like communication, leadership, and public speaking. Connecting with a good organization helps with skill-building. Many organizations offer workshops and training programs to equip activists with valuable skills.
Resources:
Start with How to Take Stock of the Gifts You Bring to Activism. Understand your skills, knowledge, and motivation to find the right activism for you. This post refers you to the Activism Skills and Knowledge Questionnaire.
Many people want to know how to get involved in activism. They don’t move forward because they feel overwhelmed by the options or confused about what cause is more important to them. Or both.
How to Create a Vision of a Joyful Life: A joyful life is one in which we experience fulfillment, purpose, and passion. A vision of what that looks like for you points to your passions.
What is Your Life Vision: Being clear about your life vision means you will live your values in all you do, including activism.
In Melati Wijsen’s TED Talk “A Roadmap for Young Changemakers,” she describes how a group of kids helped remove plastics from the island of Bali.
6. “I don’t have time”
Most people are busy, and it is hard to find time to fulfill all the important roles in your life. But making a difference in your community is possible, even if you are busy. With a thoughtful approach, you can find time for the cause closest to your heart.
How does a busy person get involved in activism? One way to participate is by mobilizing, such as attending protests, calling your elected representatives, and donating to your cause.
In the first step of the 5-Step Activism Path, you focus your passion on the cause closest to your heart. Focusing allows you to engage deeply with one cause instead of trying to solve every problem in your community. For a busy person, this might mean carving out available time to devote to one manageable area. That might look like updating an organization’s webpage once a month, mentoring a girl, or using social media to highlight racial equality issues in your community.
Resources:
Consider your life roles. What are the five most important roles in your life? How will activism fit in?
Many people confess to me that they think of an activist as a loud and angry person shaking their fist at a protest. They don’t want to be that person or participate in a march.
I get that. But the reality is that protests are only one part of a successful social change movement. And there are so many other ways to get your message across that make you feel joyful. Changemaking does not have to be confrontational.
People can be activists in many ways, from creative expression like music or art to using science, technology, or law skills to advocate for change.
Resources:
How to Find the Best Activism Method: Many opportunities exist for new activists. So, take time to make the match between your passion and the best activism method for you.
David Hogg is a survivor of a school mass shooting. He and others created March for Our Lives to advocate for gun control.
Help others recognize human trafficking. Truckers Against Trafficking trains truckers to assist law enforcement in the recognition and reporting of human trafficking.
Art as Activism
Create a comic strip about peace activism. Cartooning for Peace is an international network of cartoonists who use humor to bring awareness to peacebuilding.
Bring singers together for your cause. The Appalachian Equality Chorus promotes inclusion and ending hostility toward marginalized people.
Create photography that highlights your cause. Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Renée Byer’s exhibit ‘Living on a Dollar a Day’ reveals the faces of those living in extreme poverty.
Create a sculpture to highlight immigration. The sculpture Refugee Baggage seeks to humanize the word “refugee” and was created by Mohamad Hafez and Ahmed Badr.
Create a video game about the LGBTQ+ experience. Portrait of a Texas Family is a video game in which the player raises a trans teen in Texas.
8. “I know there are issues, but I’m afraid.”
Some people are afraid of speaking out. I was in this category for a long time, afraid to voice my concerns. It took a major reality check for me to get off the sidelines.
Those who don’t like conflict wonder how to get involved in activism. But there are many ways you can be an activist without facing confrontations.
I found that as I grew as an activist, I developed more confidence to handle conflict with calmness.
The Craftivist Collective was created by activist Sarah Corbett to promote craftivism and gentle protest. Although the activism method of crafting might not be your thing, you can apply the idea of gentle protest in your life.
The Clearer Thinking website provides free tools for improvement. In Emotional Obstacles to Doing Good, you learn how emotions can help and hinder your progress and find ways to overcome these challenges.
9. “I’m an introvert.”
You don’t need to be loud or extroverted. Introverts can be powerful activists, too, with gentle activism methods like craftivism.
Explore what motivates you. Some people are more motivated by living out their values or enjoying the task than working with others.
This is a tough one, and many people are in this boat. This was also me, as I knew that most of my extended family would not support me. However, overcoming my fears prepared me to handle criticism.
Resources:
In How to Change the World Even if Your Family Disapproves, I share my story and offer tips for navigating complicated relationships. I borrow the phrase “lead by joyful example” from author Hillary Rettig. If you follow your life vision, live your values, and do your best for your cause, you lead by joyful example. People who experience your passion and compassion may be open to discovering more about your goals. However, some people will always disapprove, and that is okay. Let it go, and continue living your joyful life.
Finally, some people are activists, and they don’t realize it! One day, I met a mother and daughter, and we started talking about activism. The mother said she could never be an activist, citing her lack of skills and age. I encouraged her to think more creatively about what she could offer, and we all moved on. A few minutes later, the daughter tapped me on the shoulder, leaned in, and told me her mother was a social worker and was tireless in her efforts for the children she served. In addition, she convinced the local government to offer additional programs to better meet their needs. In other words, she was an activist!
Are you already an activist?
You Can be an Activist
“Getting more involved doesn’t have to take over your life; it doesn’t have to be the primary facet of your identity. You can support and promote meaningful causes and, yes, change the world, while still being a “normal” person living a “normal” life.” The EveryGirl
Focus Your Passion Step (and the rest of the path)
Everyone can make a difference. How to get involved in activism? Find the right way to make a difference in your community by following a thoughtful path. One that works for the way you live your life. In my activism path, you:
That sounds selfish, doesn’t it? But it is not selfish; it is a fabulous question. Volunteers who choose opportunities that motivate them stay longer in the work.
Getting involved can make a difference in the world and enrich your life.
Here is what you’ll get from your activism:
Sense of Purpose: Working toward a cause larger than yourself gives you purpose, which has been linked to better physical health.
Stress Reduction: Activism can provide an outlet for stress, allowing you to channel your emotions into constructive actions.
Social Interaction and Community: Many forms of activism involve working with others, leading to a sense of belonging, which can positively affect physical health.
Enhanced Self-Esteem: Activism allows you to make a positive impact, leading to enhanced self-esteem.
Increased Empathy and Compassion: Being exposed to different perspectives and the challenges faced by marginalized groups can enhance your empathy and compassion, which are beneficial for mental well-being.
Coping Mechanisms: If you are dealing with stress, activism can be a healthy coping mechanism, providing an outlet for emotions.
Intellectual Stimulation: Learning about societal issues and engaging in activism can provide intellectual stimulation and keep your mind active.
Positive Outlook: The progress made through activism can instill hope and optimism, promoting a positive outlook on both personal and societal levels.
Family Time: Get your kids involved or join in with their cause. Youth participation in activism is associated with increased leadership skills, communication skills, and civic engagement.
In this TED talk, Huerta speaks mostly to women, urging them to speak up. But when she speaks about apathy, she speaks to all of us.
“I want to start out with quoting Helen Keller, that great woman that we all admire. And she had a statement that is very profound, and this statement is that science has been able to find cures for many evils, but never the greatest evil of all in human beings, and that evil is apathy.” Dolores Huerta
Use the resources on how to get involved in activism to find your power, enrich your life, and change the world. You are here now. Ready. Take the first step on your journey.
