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Abstract

n the currently-evolving conversations on social justice issues. That’s not good, friends. (<i>Some people think it’s good and that’s their prerogative.) </i>I don’t think scaring people into submission teaches them anything or creates lasting change. On the other hand, inviting allies into your cause in an emotionally healthy way creates a permanent base of support.</p><h1 id="efa5">4. Frame the solution instead of blaming the enemy.</h1><p id="29b7">Addressing all men as the problem will not end rape. Addressing all white people as the problem will not end racism. Are these very large populations technically blameworthy for these terrible issues? Yes, statistically. But this isn’t a math equation. Address the underlying issues of your chosen cause; lack of education, mental health care, toxic masculinity, generational trauma, inequality. Have there been some impactful pieces written with an in-your-face lead-in like “Hey Men” or “Hey White People” — sure, but there are also hundreds to thousands that create more divisiveness than change.</p><h1 id="4ac4">5. Take care of yourself.</h1><p id="64a1">If you are pursuing change in an area that has caused you deep personal pain, you may need to take breaks. That’s okay. Staying grounded and focusing on self-care is part of what will allow you to continue your work long-term. Better to take a few weeks of self-care time when you’re feeling pulled under than to go all the way for major burnout and lose months or years recovering; I say this from personal experience.</p><h1 id="dffb">6. Learn your topic.</h1><p id="89f5">Offer a unique point of view and become so good at handling your topic of interest that you cannot be ignored. It’s very <i>human</i> to get annoyed at the ignorance and want to lead with that. That’s okay! You don’t always have to find an ingenious way to say things. But remember, when you’re armed with answers to tough questions and a solid way to discuss actionable solutions, that will give you great power beyond those who lead only with a simple belief that something is wrong. We have to understand a topic deeply to be able to create a real shift.</p><h1 id="9cd4">7. Be palatable.</h1><p id="1bd3">Is there a time and place for coming in heavy-handed? Absolutely. To a degree, this is a personal choice. (Maybe you <i>want</i> to get your audiences riled up!) But think about the long run and what you want to accomplish. As an activist who has talked about many subjects, but with a large emphasis on sexual violence, one of the key takeaways is that some topics can frighten and trigger large groups of people. Now, when I’m creating material or t

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hinking about how to approach things, I like to take into account how to take care of those coming across my message.</p><h1 id="5527">8. Be generous with your story.</h1><p id="204b">This is a personal subject and it won’t apply to every person! Your choice to pursue change in a topic does not entitle anyone to your personal story! But if you choose to share parts of your life, know this: people will resonate with your personal stake in an issue, and often, they will share with you to the level that you share with them. Your willingness to open up can create a whole new possibility for someone hearing about a topic that was once taboo for them.</p><h1 id="7824">9. Understand the petty arguments that people will make and don’t let them be true.</h1><p id="7065">Let me disclaim that this one is completely unfair but it has to be mentioned. While judgment plagues all genders, here’s an example I’ve experienced for years; female activists will be labeled as angry or whiny just for speaking out. Understand the things that are BS, and look at generalizations that have a truth somewhere under them. Understand where your haters will come from because you have two choices; roll your eyes at them, or cleverly reel them into the right side of history!</p><h1 id="0d0b">10. Be creative.</h1><p id="7668">There’s no wrong way to enter the world of activism. Sometimes it looks like leading a revolution with a megaphone. Sometimes it looks like quietly getting involved in a local movement. And sometimes it comes in another form like theatre, film, or music. These days, I’m mostly writing essays that aim to create awareness and conversations. Before Covid, I was creating pieces of theatre and film with that same mission, and eventually, I’ll be able to return to that passion project! In the world of creating challenging conversations, there is room for a myriad of voices, but in a world so full of content, it pays to be innovative.</p><p id="cc9a"><i>Following these best practices over the last decade has transformed my ability to reach audiences in an effective manner. My experiences speaking out about sexual violence led me to understand the similarities held by all major social justice issues — the silence around these subjects is deafening.</i></p><p id="9632"><i>Out of that lesson, I shifted my focus to the mission of creating healthy conversations about challenging topics. Having these best practices to lean into helps to keep me focused on creating the world I want instead of just speaking out because “somebody’s gotta do something.”</i></p><p id="87a5"><i>What practices have helped you?</i></p></article></body>

Less-Angry Activism: How To Share Your Outrage With Minimal Rage

Ten tangible lessons from an activist who channeled her rage into creativity

“If you’re not mad about something, you’re not paying attention.”

…Right?

Well, there are a lot of terrible things in the world; topics worthy of outrage. But does our rage serve us or does it keep us from being effective?

Not only are there a lot of angry individuals in the world, but there are also a lot of angry activists.

This isn’t a judgment. Let’s be clear: I’m on your side, however, you feel. Our feelings are important, but just like any other facet of our lives, our feelings should not determine our behaviors.

Rather, our mission should help lead our choices.

When I began following my personal mission as an activist, I didn’t think about too many things other than speaking out. That’s a great place to start. But adopting these ten practices has helped direct my course.

Ten Tangible Practices for Activists Seeking Longevity, Effectiveness, and Peace of Mind!

1. Focus on what you’re after, not what you’re against.

People don’t want to go to an Anti-Racism Rally, they want to go support Black Lives Matter. They want to support inspiring outcomes like “Representation For All.” It’s more comfortable and arguably, more effective, to get behind a positive message than a statement built on outrage.

2. Reframe your own anger.

Is your anger serving you and your work? This inner work is vital. I have a female friend with who I attended a powerful performance- she turned to me afterward and said, “this makes me hate men less.” I don’t say this to antagonize her; I remember this statement because part of me related to it. But I have to say that when I focused on my “why” and not my anger, I saw my work transform into something more effective.

3. Create space for your allies.

Do not skip this step! This is a longer subject, but let’s look at one tiny facet of it; many people from older generations are terrified to get involved in the currently-evolving conversations on social justice issues. That’s not good, friends. (Some people think it’s good and that’s their prerogative.) I don’t think scaring people into submission teaches them anything or creates lasting change. On the other hand, inviting allies into your cause in an emotionally healthy way creates a permanent base of support.

4. Frame the solution instead of blaming the enemy.

Addressing all men as the problem will not end rape. Addressing all white people as the problem will not end racism. Are these very large populations technically blameworthy for these terrible issues? Yes, statistically. But this isn’t a math equation. Address the underlying issues of your chosen cause; lack of education, mental health care, toxic masculinity, generational trauma, inequality. Have there been some impactful pieces written with an in-your-face lead-in like “Hey Men” or “Hey White People” — sure, but there are also hundreds to thousands that create more divisiveness than change.

5. Take care of yourself.

If you are pursuing change in an area that has caused you deep personal pain, you may need to take breaks. That’s okay. Staying grounded and focusing on self-care is part of what will allow you to continue your work long-term. Better to take a few weeks of self-care time when you’re feeling pulled under than to go all the way for major burnout and lose months or years recovering; I say this from personal experience.

6. Learn your topic.

Offer a unique point of view and become so good at handling your topic of interest that you cannot be ignored. It’s very human to get annoyed at the ignorance and want to lead with that. That’s okay! You don’t always have to find an ingenious way to say things. But remember, when you’re armed with answers to tough questions and a solid way to discuss actionable solutions, that will give you great power beyond those who lead only with a simple belief that something is wrong. We have to understand a topic deeply to be able to create a real shift.

7. Be palatable.

Is there a time and place for coming in heavy-handed? Absolutely. To a degree, this is a personal choice. (Maybe you want to get your audiences riled up!) But think about the long run and what you want to accomplish. As an activist who has talked about many subjects, but with a large emphasis on sexual violence, one of the key takeaways is that some topics can frighten and trigger large groups of people. Now, when I’m creating material or thinking about how to approach things, I like to take into account how to take care of those coming across my message.

8. Be generous with your story.

This is a personal subject and it won’t apply to every person! Your choice to pursue change in a topic does not entitle anyone to your personal story! But if you choose to share parts of your life, know this: people will resonate with your personal stake in an issue, and often, they will share with you to the level that you share with them. Your willingness to open up can create a whole new possibility for someone hearing about a topic that was once taboo for them.

9. Understand the petty arguments that people will make and don’t let them be true.

Let me disclaim that this one is completely *unfair* but it has to be mentioned. While judgment plagues all genders, here’s an example I’ve experienced for years; female activists will be labeled as angry or whiny just for speaking out. Understand the things that are BS, and look at generalizations that have a truth somewhere under them. Understand where your haters will come from because you have two choices; roll your eyes at them, or cleverly reel them into the right side of history!

10. Be creative.

There’s no wrong way to enter the world of activism. Sometimes it looks like leading a revolution with a megaphone. Sometimes it looks like quietly getting involved in a local movement. And sometimes it comes in another form like theatre, film, or music. These days, I’m mostly writing essays that aim to create awareness and conversations. Before Covid, I was creating pieces of theatre and film with that same mission, and eventually, I’ll be able to return to that passion project! In the world of creating challenging conversations, there is room for a myriad of voices, but in a world so full of content, it pays to be innovative.

Following these best practices over the last decade has transformed my ability to reach audiences in an effective manner. My experiences speaking out about sexual violence led me to understand the similarities held by all major social justice issues — the silence around these subjects is deafening.

Out of that lesson, I shifted my focus to the mission of creating healthy conversations about challenging topics. Having these best practices to lean into helps to keep me focused on creating the world I want instead of just speaking out because “somebody’s gotta do something.”

What practices have helped you?