An activist is a person who sees the need for change and dedicates his time to doing something to change it. As successful youth activists have proven, structural, social, and economic barriers do not limit the pursuit of interests and positive change. If you're interested in making a change on an issue, you can learn more about the issue, find ways to get involved in person or online, or perhaps pursue a career in a field related to the movement you're interested in.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Seeking and Supporting Enthusiasm About Change
Step 1. Identify and get to know your passion in more detail
When you look at the world around you, what excites you? Makes you hopeful? Make you angry? Makes you afraid of the future? Your enthusiasm can be focused on the good things (e.g. having healthier food available at school) or fighting the things you think are bad (e.g. mocking other people's bodies on social media).
Write down a list of things that interest you, and try to be as specific as possible. For each case, identify the problem, the solution, and what you can help with
Step 2. Set ambitious but realistic targets
History proves that single activists have torn down empires, liberated the oppressed, and opened the minds of the masses. And today, youth can even improve their environment or build a social equality movement through their efforts. If you want to achieve something, be specific about what you hope to achieve in the future and a specific way to achieve it.
For example: stopping human-caused climate change is a noble goal, but too broad to be done directly. Instead, you can advocate for tightening automotive and industrial emission standards in your area
Step 3. Join (or start) an organization to support the movement
If you are interested in the same issues as other activists, you may be able to find one or more organizations to join. Organizations can range from student organizations to national level organizations.
- Most activist organizations offer some level of engagement. You can do what works best, whether it's attending meetings or demonstrations, contacting local MPs, or just donating as much money as you can.
- Or, you could set up your own organization, whether it's a recycling work group at school or an online anti-racism group. You can start small.
Step 4. Donate your time
One of the best ways to make a change is to donate your time to support the movement. Contact organizations in your community that work for the movement, and ask how to contribute.
For example, if you are interested in helping stray animals, contact your local animal shelter or wildlife protection. You can help in many ways, from caring for animals to helping with fundraising events or writing content for the web
Step 5. Donate money or goods
Most activist or charitable organizations need resources to work. If you can't afford to donate money to an organization that supports the movement, you might be able to donate something they need, such as clothes or canned food.
Note that some organizations have better reputations. If you're planning to donate money or goods to support the cause, do your research before donating. Check the rankings of these organizations through agencies such as CharityWatch, Charity Navigator, or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance
Step 6. Reach out to your family and friends
Tell your family and friends about the movement, and invite them to get involved. If they're interested, share information about the move or simply tell them what you've learned. If you're volunteering, invite interested friends and family to come with you.
If you're not sure where to start, make a list of five friends or family members who might be interested in the movement. Think of the most likely way to approach them (e.g. by email, phone, or in person), and reach out to them in a way that feels right to you
Step 7. Set an example with action
One of the simplest and most important forms of activism is to do what you believe in, or "conscious activism." Carrying out activism consciously means practicing activism in everyday life and acting directly to support the movement (e.g. reducing carbon footprint, using sustainably produced goods, etc.)
For example, if you're interested in reducing animal cruelty, start by reducing your use of products that use animal-derived ingredients (such as fur or leather) and avoiding places that exploit animals (such as circuses or SeaWorld)
Method 2 of 4: Doing Activism Online
Step 1. Promote the movement through social media
You can use social media to keep your friends and followers informed of the cause you support. Upload informative articles, write about what you do to stay involved, and invite friends to attend events or donate to the cause. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram can be good places to start.
Step 2. Explain and provide evidence from your point of view
Whatever the movement, from nuclear restraint to gender identity and bathroom choices, you'll find people online with different views. Some of them will not be persuaded by any of the evidence you present, but others may be willing to hear a rational and wise explanation.
- Evoking the emotions of others ("This product is dangerous to our children's health!") is best supported by evidence ("See the following scientific evidence…").
- There's a lot of "fake news" on the internet, so do a little research for evidence before sharing it.
Step 3. Spread the petition online
Thanks to the internet, petitions no longer have to be passed door-to-door carrying pens and paper. There are several websites and social media serving petitions, including change.org. To garner support for the petition, watch the following video:
- Set clear, specific, and realistic goals, such as “Protect forest areas near city parks from development.”
- Tell the movement from a personal point of view, for example: "I, as well as the children who live in this area, learned to respect the environment by walking through this forest."
- Combine online and offline efforts. Invite friends and colleagues to spread the petition either online or in person.
Step 4. Provide financial support if you can
You can donate money online to a movement-focused organization, although you should always find out how your money is being used. You can also use the internet to do crowdfunding, either using websites like indiegogo.com or kitabisa.com, or using social media to raise funds directly.
If you're raising money for an animal shelter in your area, for example, make sure there's a clear plan for using the funds. Many people do not want to give money away without knowing how to use it
Method 3 of 4: Become a Knowledgeable Activist
Step 1. Read about the movement
Before getting involved in a movement, you need to know about the issues involved. Look for books related to the movement from the school or public library.
- Other charitable organizations or activists working in this field may be able to recommend some books. Check their website for a reading list.
- Ask a teacher who may know enough about the movement and ask for reading recommendations.
Step 2. Look at the website related to the movement
Look for websites for activist organizations or charities that support the movement. Read a summary of the issue, what they've done to help, and find out how to get involved.
Use the internet to read about the topic in general terms, but always be aware of sources and biases of information that may arise
Step 3. Watch the news
Follow good news from newspapers, magazines, or online news about the latest information or developments related to the movement. If you are a member of a charitable organization or activist for the movement, they may offer a newsletter or news summary related to the movement.
Always keep in mind that not all sources can be trusted and relied on. Check carefully the sources you read, especially internet sources, and be aware of possible author bias
Step 4. Take a lecture related to movement
If you're in college, take a course to help understand the movement. For example, if you care about environmental issues, an environmental science course could be an option.
- Taking these courses will not only help you understand the movement, it will also connect you with people who are interested in the same issue.
- Talk to your teacher outside of class for information on how to get more involved and know more.
- If you're not currently in college, or your college doesn't offer courses that can help, you can look for free or reasonably priced online courses related to movement. For example, Smith College offers free online lectures on the theme of Women's Activism through the edX website.
Step 5. Listen to the people most affected
If you're interested in a movement that has an impact on people, one of the best ways to understand how to help them is to listen to them. If you can't reach them in person, try to get in touch with them through social media, reading their stories in books or online.
Step 6. Talk to other activists
If you know of other activists in your community who are involved with the movement you're interested in, talk to them to see what activities have been carried out in your area and what they can do to help.
- For example, if you are interested in the issue of LGBT+ rights, talk to members of the LGBT+ community in your community about the issues that matter most to them, and what you can do to help.
- Try connecting with other activists in your area through social media, or attending meetings of organizations in your area.
- If you're still in college, talk to other students or professors who are interested in the same movement. Find out if there are student organizations on campus associated with the movement.
Method 4 of 4: Pursuing a Career in Activism
Step 1. Take a major related to activism
If you're currently in college or looking to start college, consider majoring in a major that can get you moving. For example, you could major in something like organizational leadership, or focus on something more specific to a movement you're interested in, like environmental science or women's studies.
Also think about career paths that will allow you to support the movement. For example, if you are interested in public health, you might be able to pursue a career in health
Step 2. Look for internship opportunities
If you are new to the world of work, an internship can be a great way to start a career as an activist. During college or after graduation, look for internship opportunities that match your interests. See if your favorite grassroots organization or other nonprofit offers internship opportunities. Talk to your academic advisor about internship opportunities related to activism. Completing one or more internships can put you on the right track to becoming a career activist.
Some undergraduate degrees may require an internship as a condition of graduation. Make sure you check the graduation requirements and complete the internship if you need it for a degree
Step 3. Find a job as an activist
If you are ready to work, find a job that is relevant to your interests. See if charities and grassroots organizations you trust have vacancies that match your abilities. For example, if you have writing and editing skills, find out if there are vacancies as copywriters at grassroots organizations. If you have event planning and organization skills, seek employment opportunities as a volunteer coordinator.
Basically, whatever skills you have can be useful for some activist organizations to support the movement-they may need accountants, drivers, cooks, carpenters, doctors, and others
Tips
- Be creative! Activism doesn't have to be a big event. You can even make a difference by doing it from home! Bloggers can become activists through writing, teachers can become activists by inviting students to deepen their beliefs, artists can leave their mark on art in guerrillas in remote cities, computer experts can create electronic magazines, and so on.
- When you work with others, consider the needs of the group. There's nothing wrong with following other people's decisions about issues that you're not good at.
Warning
- Respect other people's opinions, and recognize when you are already a fundamentalist. Once you realize this, stop being an activist.
- Be wary if you plan to engage in civil disobedience. Keep a lawyer's business card in your pocket in case you're about to be arrested.
