Emerging Leaders Respond: Advocacy in Action
UNA-NCA’s inaugural cohort of Emerging Leaders explore what it means to be an advocate.
Sinclaire Ogof, College Freshman
Nirvaan De Silva, 6th Grade
For me, being an advocate means not only knowing that change is needed, but having the courage and confidence to make change or at least advocate for it. That means that if you know something needs change you have to have the confidence to push your leaders to make it. Some of the most important tools of an advocate are confidence, intelligence, leadership skills, and most importantly…passion. One great example of advocacy that inspires me is Oliver Brown. His daughter was not allowed to be enrolled in the school closest to her home because she was black. Not only did Oliver Brown realize this was unfair and racist, he had the courage and confidence to do something about. Even after his lawsuit was knocked down by a lower court, he didn’t let that get to him and eventually was able to able to advocate and appeal to the Supreme Court to take his case and rule in his favor. This example shows that with confidence and passion advocates can make real change that they believe in.
Maryam Abdul Sattar, College Senior
What does it mean to be an advocate?
An advocate is someone who has a voice and uses it to help underserved and vulnerable populations. An advocate raises awareness of issues that are unequal or unfair and attempts to eliminate barriers by ensuring equality, access, and inclusion.
What are some of the most important tools of an advocate?
An advocate has the best interests of the group they are serving in mind and helps to gather information, resources, and personnel to achieve their goal. An advocate needs to be motivated and show determination and resilience in the face of challenges. An advocate needs to be able to address the people who can assist and must be able to communicate with all parties involved.
What are some different examples of advocacy that inspire you?
As I stated above, advocacy is about raising awareness. Recently, I put together a webinar about people with vision impairments to raise awareness and encourage the hiring of people with disabilities at my internship. I have also advocated for refugees and immigrants to encourage them to continue their education by showing them the resources available to them.
Elisa Contreras, 8th Grade
Brayden Mahoney, College Junior
I believe that there are many ways for someone to be an advocate. You don’t need to be a senator in order to be an advocate, the biggest advocates, in my opinion, are community members who have risen up to get their community excited and stand up for something they believe in. An example of an advocate that comes to mind is South Minneapolis community leader Marcia Howard who has been one of the main actors in maintaining the community occupation of 38th and Chicago Avenues here in Minneapolis, where George Floyd Square is located. I have been following her on social media since the community claimed the intersection and she has been a fierce advocate for overall social justice, but especially for police reform and holding the system accountable. Howard is in a schoolteacher’s union and I remember seeing a post of hers in which her union came out to support her in their community’s fight to demand justice. That is why I believe her to be an advocate. She has strong interpersonal communication skills which makes her a strong voice in the square, amongst her fellow leaders, and on social media. Those skills enable her to get folks to come together and fight for the changes we’ve needed years ago. She has also been out on the ground in the square since day 1 of occupation. This type of dedication to the cause is another important tool I believe she has demonstrated for the past 11 months, day and night, that makes me believe that Marcia Howard is an inspiring advocate whom I admire.
Filip Oroth, College Senior
I think what means to be an advocate is being someone who stands up for what they believe and takes a stance if they truly feel that they can help, especially being open about it in public, with regards to their opinion and their support for the given cause, idea, opinion, situation or such.
I think particularly if it involves supporting those that may be less fortunate, being voiceless or simply being there for those that need it and do not seem to get any kind of support, media attention or any other form of support that could potentially help them in that given situation, challenge or battle. Advocacy in this regard can be supportive, particularly external advocacy that is natural and the person believes in the same by which it can be inspiring for others as well, that may join later or further motivate those that already have.
Some of the most important tools of an advocate may be their voice or a certain push they may have at their disposal, either in their immediate community or even through standard communication methods, using letters, e-mails or even starting events, but most importantly voicing the support is the most crucial. It is the fundamental pillar that is so important, yet often can be forgotten, at times not highlighted enough.
I believe that advocacy can be done in multiple forms, I think often the most efficient way is simply using one´s voice and perhaps external power and influence in a way as it shares an important idea.
Educating and encouraging others can be other forms of advocacy that are very effective and helps gather even more people, which in turn usually correlates to the success of dealing with the situation and coming to a positive result. Simply taking the time to support something is already a step forward and helping in any way possible, which will be reflected on the other end.
Alexandria Perez, College Sophomore
Jordan Webb, College Junior
An advocate is someone who publicly argues, supports, or proposes an idea, development, or course of action. There are many types of advocates that include but are not limited to: legal, political, or community advocates. In practice, advocates engage in a variety of activities to effect change. Advocates help shape social and political outcomes, educate the public, and can influence the decision making process by participating in activities such as contacting members of Congress, attending marches and protests, or organizing demonstrative or digital campaigns. The most important tool that an advocate can use in their advocacy work is active listening and empathy. Too often, we get so focused on the message we want to share that we sometimes forget to listen and learn of the needs, concerns, and fears of those we intend to advocate for. The problem is that without listening to the voices that are marginalized, normally excluded, or more commonly, go unnoticed, advocates can’t be effective in their work. Thus, it’s important that for any advocate, who is truly committed to progress, to possess these necessary tools that allow for a greater understanding of others. Nonetheless, a clear sense of purpose or a clear understanding of “why” is crucial for maintaining consistency throughout any forms of advocacy. A form of advocacy that has inspired me and continues to inspire me today is the gender equality work done by Chimamanda Adichie. What I particularly love about her writings and speeches is how she draws upon her personal experiences to call for the elimination of the social and cultural barriers that prevent men and women from truly being equal.
Minako Furukawa, College Senior
In my understanding, being an advocate means having a political engagement with key persons and all stakeholders as well as taking actual actions for raising awareness and mobilizing people. However, it may also be true that showing your position like making a suggestion and/or encouraging others would be another form of advocacy because some people would be inspired and be a part of the movement or organization. For being a good advocate, doing research for the specific topics with its backgrounds and always trying to learn new perspectives would be key factors so that more people would support the cause. Social media would be especially helpful for the advocacy campaign and maintain communication among people. Using technology and online resources which includes social media and being a rally are two examples of advocacy that inspires me the most.
Anneliese Raynolds, College Sophomore
“Advocates”
Advocates speak up.
They speak out.
They show up.
Advocates are anyone.
The only rule is to not to be silent.
Advocates give speeches.
They smile and laugh.
They cry and shout.
Advocates do what they can.
The only rule is to not be silent.
Advocates write stories.
They write letters.
They write proposals.
Advocates work for a cause.
The only rule is to not be silent.
Advocates lead marches.
They start fundraisers.
They post online.
Advocates challenge others.
The only rule is to not be silent.
It is harder than you think.
Advocates face detractors.
They face adversity.
They can get discouraged.
But they refuse to be silent.
Pavani Durbhakula, 9th Grade
When was the last time you witnessed something fundamentally wrong, and you knew it was wrong, and yet you did nothing? Don’t tell yourself that has never happened to you. Don’t lie to yourself. The truth is, this happens to every single one of us. Because we’re unsure of ourselves or we’re embarrassed for noticing or we’re stuck conforming to this vague idea of normal or we’re afraid of what will happen if we do speak up. But these aren’t justifications. They’re excuses. Just because it happens to everyone doesn’t make it okay. It’s unacceptable. We should all be ashamed. Advocacy is usually defined by protests and marches and speeches and movements and other seemingly insurmountable acts of activism. And all of these are wonderful examples. But advocacy is so much broader than that. It’s so much more attainable than that. Advocacy doesn’t have to be thousands of people or decade-long projects or international organizations. Advocacy is when you see something wrong and decide to not just keep walking. When you go from observer to activist. When you choose to speak up. It doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be a social media post advocating for climate action or a conversation with a friend about why a certain slur is offensive or simply telling someone that what they’re doing is not okay. It is in our everyday examples of advocacy that the change begins. Silence is surrender. Silence is giving in. Silence is like saying “good job”. So next time you see that discrimination or hear that slur or witness that blatant wrong, don’t let them win. You’re better than that. We’re all better than that. Choose that moment to begin the next chapter of your life. One where you are motivated to take action and educate others and inspire people to take initiative for causes that matter. Don’t choose to be silent. Don’t surrender. Stand up. Speak out. Be an advocate.
Anjali Patel, College Senior
