WAYS TO BE AN ACTIVIST

We don’t know a lot about L, but we know that he was concerned about agency and about the damaging effects of social media. Here are some ways to become involved in real life activism for causes you care about that go beyond protests and “holding signs”, which are also valuable and important. I promise you—doing these things will be so much better for your mental health and happiness than doom scrolling and idol obsessing. 

WORDS - Are you a talented writer? Are you good at public speaking? Words change minds. Talented communicators change governments. Write and distribute a zine. Speak at public events. Become an independent journalist. Use words to expose truths and unite the people.

ART - Are you creative? Are you a painter, photographer, filmmaker, musician? The song “We Shall Overcome” became a message of resilience and hope during the Civil Rights movement. “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso influenced political activism and is considered one of the most powerful anti-war paintings in history. Your creativity is a superpower.

ORGANIZE - Local activism is key. Form community groups, host meetings, organize grassroots campaigns at home where you live. If we all work to make a positive impact right where we are, the entire world will improve.

VOLUNTEER - What are you passionate about? Plastic pollution? Join or organize beach cleanups. Animals? Donate time to a wildlife rescue center or farmed animal sanctuary. Join a community science effort. Join a human rights effort. Whatever your passion may be, there is a way to get involved in real. Find out how and enjoy the pleasures of purpose.

LOBBYING - Meet with officials, join advocacy organizations, work with legislators. Influence law and policy changes. This includes…

POLITICS - Become a politician. In the US, the Republican and Democratic parties have failed us. A new party needs to take shape that stands for the lower and middle classes, and for mitigating existential threats, (climate change and AI). New, ethical leaders are needed (almost) world-wide. Maybe that leader is you?

DOLLARS - Become a minimalist. What’s cooler than having fancy hair, fancy makeup, fancy clothes and fancy cars? The ability to survive out of a backpack. The ability to reject consumerism. The ability to forage and survive in the wilderness. The ability to grow your own food in your own backyard or patio garden. The ability to use your dollars as your voice by only purchasing what you need, what is beneficial for the planet, and for your health. Use public transportation. Get a bicycle. Do you have a lot of money? Buy up public land that is at risk of logging, mining and development to conserve it and protect biodiversity. Donate to disaster relief, conservation and human rights orgs. Start your own conservation or human rights org.

LISTEN - An uprising is inevitable. Not only in the US, but world-wide. As multi-millionaire Scott Galloway recently said: “Income inequality is self-correcting, and the means of self-correcting is war, famine and revolution.” As the planet continues to deteriorate, as AI takes over employment, as genocides kill thousands, as future pandemics kill millions, as water becomes more polluted, as crops continue to fail… the people are going to rise up against the billionaire corporations that are stealing our futures. Watch and listen, and when the time comes, join the fight. Stand with Earth. Stand against human extinction. Stand against the ruling class. Stand for a peaceful, happy future.

What ways are you becoming an IRL activist? Comment and inspire us!