rambles about working for social change
Apr. 13th, 2007 06:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
destabeeI have found myself pulling back from activism lately. I think I have finally figured out why.
I am tired of being in reactive mode. Tired of trying to help end wars that are already being fought. Tired of trying to tear down walls that already exist. I am tired of fighting battles that are about results and symptoms not rather than about the causes and fundamental issues. I instead want to build bridges betweens groups. I want to help people see the positive reasons to value diversity to work together to protect this wonderful planet. I wonder how long time activists manage to continue the fight against the negative without losing themselves and burning out.
Shifting my public service time to volunteering at the nature center. I could help clean up roadsides. I could write letters trying to persuade lawmakers to vote in ways that are environmentally friendly. Instead I want to share my love of nature with others in hopes that occasionally a bit of the enchantment I feel will rub off on someone (especially on children) who might change the way the act in some small way. I know the two approaches to working for social change are two sides of the same coin and that both are necessary. I know that sometimes a carrot is needed and sometimes a stick yields results. Still, more and more, I prefer seeking out local, ethical producers of the goods and services I need to staying on top of the latest list of companies to boycott or avoid.
Still I find myself wondering if it is selling out to turn my time, energy, and attention toward more indirect efforts to create something positive with the side benefit of reducing something negative rather than addressing the negative more head on. Somehow focusing on the positive feels less immediate, less "in the trenches." It also feels like a more selfish (because it is more pleasant) way to be involved in social change. I find myself wondering if this is the "fluffy bunny" or "activist light" version of working for social change.
I am tired of being in reactive mode. Tired of trying to help end wars that are already being fought. Tired of trying to tear down walls that already exist. I am tired of fighting battles that are about results and symptoms not rather than about the causes and fundamental issues. I instead want to build bridges betweens groups. I want to help people see the positive reasons to value diversity to work together to protect this wonderful planet. I wonder how long time activists manage to continue the fight against the negative without losing themselves and burning out.
Shifting my public service time to volunteering at the nature center. I could help clean up roadsides. I could write letters trying to persuade lawmakers to vote in ways that are environmentally friendly. Instead I want to share my love of nature with others in hopes that occasionally a bit of the enchantment I feel will rub off on someone (especially on children) who might change the way the act in some small way. I know the two approaches to working for social change are two sides of the same coin and that both are necessary. I know that sometimes a carrot is needed and sometimes a stick yields results. Still, more and more, I prefer seeking out local, ethical producers of the goods and services I need to staying on top of the latest list of companies to boycott or avoid.
Still I find myself wondering if it is selling out to turn my time, energy, and attention toward more indirect efforts to create something positive with the side benefit of reducing something negative rather than addressing the negative more head on. Somehow focusing on the positive feels less immediate, less "in the trenches." It also feels like a more selfish (because it is more pleasant) way to be involved in social change. I find myself wondering if this is the "fluffy bunny" or "activist light" version of working for social change.
