Activism During a Pandemic: A Gen Z Guide to Advocating for Justice
“Use your voice! Use your privilege!”
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Now more than ever, it is our duty to speak up. Whether it’s advocating for social justice from the safety and comfort of your home or going out to protest, being safe while still speaking out is of the utmost importance.
This is a pivotal moment for younger generations.
With limited assistance and support from authorities, Generation Z and millennials have taken it upon themselves to support racial justice, better treatment of immigrants, effective gun control, and so much more.
The recent gatherings and protests are not a response to just Generation Z’s hardships. Instead, they are a response to generations of Black people’s hardships, such as slavery, segregation, oppression, racism, and much more.
So, you may be wondering, “How can I, a typical teenager practicing social distancing, make a difference from the comfort of my bed?” Well, your tiny steps to create a big change are more monumental than you may think.
How can I make a difference from home?
- Sign petitions.
Sign petitions that fight for unique causes and strive for change! Petitions are more efficient than you may think, and every sign counts. A petition helps appeal to authority with respect to a particular cause, so unleash your passions and sign for a cause you care about! Your sign may just be the one that puts the issue on the agenda.
2. Educate yourself.
Pick up a book, ask a friend, watch a documentary, read an article, and most importantly, take a moment to reflect. There are an innumerable amount of resources available on a plethora of platforms at our disposal. We can acquire knowledge on causes that we are passionate about with the click of a few buttons. By learning more, we can begin to educate others. This can create a domino effect that strives to fight the deeply-rooted ignorance in our society. In a world where resources to educate yourself are so readily available, ignorance is most definitely a choice. Let that resonate with you and take a few minutes to reflect.
“If you want to be powerful in life, educate yourself.” — Anonymous
Considering how prominent social media is these days, this step can be done so easily. If you see a post, click on it. Read the caption and swipe to see what goes on. Keeping up does not mean you have to know everything the exact second it comes out, but rather the willingness to put bias aside and truly understand the concepts that are being presented. If you keep up, you can make that leap — the leap needed to set aside prejudice and move towards bigger and greater change together.
3. Speak up.
Hear a racist comment? Respectfully let the other person know that their comments have consequences, and try to educate them on why. Be transparent, authentic, and deliberate. If someone speaks up against you in regards to something you said, it is important to acknowledge your privilege and blind spots. If you get called out, ensure that you apologize. Next time, try your best to do better.
Signing petitions, educating ourselves, being up to date, and speaking up — these are the fundamentals of what we can do as activists when we physically cannot do anything else. However, there are many other ways to show support and alliance.
4. Donate to street medics.
Valuable contributions can be made by donating money and supplies to street medics. Street medics provide medical and safety services to individuals who are injured during protests. By donating first aid kits, bandaids, or just cash, you are helping someone in need. Your contribution may just save a life.
5. Make protest goody bags!
Create packages with food, water, masks, and other necessary resources. For individuals who are risking their safety, these items are extremely valuable. You can add helpful notes as well, reminding them to continuously sanitize and practice social distancing. Posters are a great idea, too! If you have a message you really need the world to see, add it to your package. Drop packages off at protest sites or give them to friends and family who are out protesting. Even if your method of demonstrating solidarity is unconventional and abnormal, it is far better than sitting back and doing nothing,
With everything going on the world right now, our silence is undeniably deadly. We cannot let decades-old oppression win. Even if we can’t physically show our support by going out and protesting, we must search within ourselves for other mechanisms.
We are so fortunate to be present in a time where information and resources are so readily available. It is up to us to take that stand and fight to be one. The only way to bring change is to be consistent and resilient.
Sources:
Matthews, Melissa. “Can’t Attend a Protest? Here Are 5 Other Ways to Support Black Lives Matter.” Men’s Health, Men’s Health, 5 June 2020, www.menshealth.com/health/a32767725/how-to-protest-from-home/.
Taylor, Alan. “Images From a Worldwide Protest Movement.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 8 June 2020, www.theatlantic.com/photo/2020/06/images-worldwide-protest-movement/612811/.
Bellan, Rebecca. “Gen Z Leads The Black Lives Matter Movement, On And Off Social Media.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 12 June 2020, www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccabellan/2020/06/12/gen-z-leads-the-black-lives-matter-movement-on-and-off-social-media/#57de673219a8.
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Edited by: Ira Gupta, Director of Research Bloggers
