Steps to becoming an Activist: Taking Action!



When you become an activist you take on a very special, comprehensive, and rewarding role. You become an “Agent of Change” by committing yourself to a task or problem that you are passionate about, and by fighting for solutions. At the same time you balance the views of the people you are representing - the community - and produce an agreement that satisfies all. An activist’s journey is never an easy one, and it does require a group effort. But do not worry, here are a few steps that may guide you in the right direction, and create a great platform for your activism projects.



1. Question Everything!
The first step is to observe your surroundings, and figure out where you might want to start. When you do this question what you see, the situations that occur around you, and the experience, negative or positive, that you see the most and the least.
Ask things like: “What affect does this have on me and the community?” “How many people use this structure?” “Why is this area affected most?” “Do others in the community have a problem?” “What is the source of contention?”



2. Identify the issue.
Once you have the answers to your questions you become well equipped to identify the issue(s). Topics like poor health, little safety, normalized oppression, brutality/abuse, dependence, power struggle dynamics, little political voice, quantity over quality of food, and the overall loss of rights are most times the core of activist movements. When you have a good grasp on the span of your project you can move toward your research.



3. Research!!!
Even though you should do research throughout this project, this is the key moment to do it. A really good way to start your research is to look up statistics, read newspaper clippings, even read parts of the country's census. Find whatever connects to your issue. Figure out who the community leaders are, or what politicians are directly involved with your campaign.



4. Key Players/Contacts?
From your research you will gain an idea of who the key players are, who has the power, and who needs empowerment. Keep in mind government conglomerates like DOT, DEP etc..Also non-for-profit organizations, residents, politicians like the borough president and so on, community board representatives, teachers, other activist organizations etc....
Then, from this list of players, comprise a group of contacts that should be kept in constant communication. You will build the base of your support system, as well as a base of influential persons. Never neglect the community, especially during this step. You will find that the voice and power of your community may be more influential than that of the agencies.



5. Advocacy/ Event(s) Creation:
Finally you can really get down to the movement! Through the comprised lists, and research you will come across events and opportunities for advocacy. Go to these events, collect information and experiences, network, and then brainstorm with your support system ways to modify these things so you can create your own events. Never pass up an opportunity to talk to the community. Always keep then in the loop. Flyer, broadcast your information, and hold press conferences, table, volunteer, invest locally, go to rallies and protests! There are innumerable opportunities to be heard and to hear others. 



Go forth, and good luck!



For more of an idea of how to go about these steps look at this campaign example:



REDEFINING REHABILITATION (Yves Celestin)
Ask questions: Going out into the community, doing research about your campaign. You should always know what you want to do.



Entering A.C.T.I.O.N there was a lot of things that i did not know about the campaign. And the way I was able to work around my “ignorance” was asking a lot of questions. Primarily old action, that knew more about the topic than I did. Once I learned all I could learn from old action, I began asking questions and building off of older questions about Redefining Rehabilitation, that then led to personal research and learning new stuff about the campaign myself.

Identify the issues: Being able to identify the issue started after informing myself. The issue after informing myself was being able to teach the people of the community of their rights. Then we, as ACTION, began to teach others of different issues surrounding the topic such as Normalized Oppression, School-to-Prison Pipeline, and Prison Privatization.



Do some research: Getting statistics and graphs, going outside and talking to the community, ask contacts like NYCCP, DOT, South Bronx River Watershed Alliances (SBRWA), etc...

Find your key players: Find gatherings to discuss problems for example like Sheridan meetings or other meetings. Locate non-profit organizations filled with activists, and gov. organizations.

Get some contact information: SBRWA, non-profit organizations, alliances, The Point, government organizations.



Do advocacy work/go to events: Town halls, etc...