“As my sufferings mounted I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation — either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force. I decided to follow the latter course.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
Activism is defined as “the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change.” As a Black man in society, particularly, as a Christian Black man standing at the intersection of a unique time in history I find the concept/reality of activism weighing heavily upon me. I find that my social location doesn’t afford me the option of remaining neutral and on the sidelines. The rise of social media has made it almost impossible for me to remain ignorant on what is going on locally, nationally, and internationally. Issues of racism and inequality have reached a deafening pitch that demand attention. Furthermore, a worldwide pandemic has caused the suffering of millions worldwide.
It is easy to become overwhelmed. If I just look at the way that racism has impacted my own community I find myself stuck in miry clay. I am unable to move to the right or to the left. I am not an economist. I am not a legislator. What can I possibly do? I am not strong, brave, or powerful. There are other minority groups that are also impacted by the disastrous seeds of racism as well. How can I reach out my hands and help them all? Can one man help them all?
Inaction. Hopelessness. Despair. These things all are real, but I feel that they are things that keep us from making incremental changes that lead to pathways of peace and healing. Finding my way in activism has been slow, but I have found it in very small things rather than grandiose ways. Personally, I may never be on large platforms. What I have committed to is using my words. I use social media. I use my dollars to fund the things that I believe in. I support various causes this way. I write. I podcast. I support Black businesses/books/content creators, etc. I vote in ways that I am proud of. All of this may not add up to much, but at the end of the day I am finding my personal way in the larger tapestry of activism. I reject hopelessness and uselessness and do the things that are in front of me.
