Things I’ve absorbed and learned from activist and social justice spaces that don’t feel good anymore. I’ll no longer be subscribing.
If you care about it, prove it (and all the time)
Show up the way others do
Don’t ask questions (and if you do, be very very scared of the response)
There is a formula for each identity you hold—how you dress, speak, your interests
Social justice must be a big part of your life or you’re not a good person
Care about every issue all the time
Speak about every issue all the time
There is a right and a wrong
Perfection is preferred
Shame and judge others to get them to do what you do and believe what you believe
You should always be doing more—what you’re doing now is never enough
If you say/use the word privilege (and a whole host of other words!) a lot, you get brownie points
Leadership is loud and takes up space. Get behind the mic.
Heavy emphasis on personal risks. Give up something, and if you aren’t willing to, you aren’t a good activist
Public callouts are the right and only way to change someone's behavior
social media tells us whether you care or not
If someone isn’t careful with words, it can be used against them
I have a new subscription.
Trust and believe in yourself. Do what works for you. Don’t be an asshole to others. Take care of yourself and others. Don’t be afraid to have a different opinion. The unique lens through which you see the world is needed. Watch more reality tv (this one is for me, specifically). Replace judgment with curiosity. There is more than one approach to everything. Be imperfect but also repair/acknowledge along the way.
And a special thank you to Loretta Ross, who has inspired me to rethink all of this!