I think one of the fundamental issues regarding progressive activism is that ordinary people do not write like they should. You have those who feel helpless, so they shut current events out. They will go to the polls and vote. But they don’t know what to do beyond casting that ballot.
Then you have the rank-and-file activists. These are people who have concerns about the way things are and who do good things to make things better. So they share posts on social media; they attend protests; they may donate money to organizations that they feel are fighting the good fight.
People like this are good people, and they are important to defending our freedom in times like these. But these are the folks who could be even more powerful if they would tap into their own talents.
How do you do that? The first step is to recognize not only that you have power, but that you ARE power so long as you live and breathe. This power manifests itself in each person’s conditions, talents and experiences. Find your conditions and your talents and your experiences and work with them. One of the best ways to do that is through writing.
Yes, you should absolutely go vote. Yes, you should share those memes, attend those protests and donate money when you can. But by channeling what you are good at, you strengthen those efforts and the movement as a whole.
James Baldwin once said, “You write in order to change the world … If you alter, even by a millimeter, the way people look at reality, then you can change it.”
Some of you out there are gifted writers with informed opinions. Use that!
Most local news organizations allow short form submissions in the form of letters to the editor. But if you want to kick it up a notch, reach out and ask about opportunities to write opinion editorials — something like the one you’re reading right now.
Or you could start a blog where you provide weekly insights into what is going on in the world. Hell, you could write fiction! That idea for a book you’ve had? Put some words down.
Whatever writing endeavor you may choose, make your voice heard. And when you write, write with authority. Write like you are James Baldwin; write like you are Toni Morrison; write like you are a food critic whose opinion can sink a restaurant.
With the Department of Justice removing statistics on politically-motivated violence, with mergers happening in the world of media that endanger speaking the truth, and with politicians lying for their own benefit, someone must speak honestly. Let that person be you.
Putting pen to paper is one of the most vital practices for the health of a democracy. While you still have a First Amendment, you should exercise it.
There are people here now that cannot speak freely, namely migrants at threat of having their visas revoked. Do not let their plight be in vain. Write not only for yourself, but for others, and keep in mind that you, too, could be in their shoes one day.
Change minds, ruffle feathers; be heard. It is imperative that you bleed ink so that you may not bleed blood.
And whatever you write or whatever battles you choose to fight, do it with love. Do not advocate out of hate for the other side, but out of love for the people and ideals you care about. Any battle you fight with hate, you will not win; you will only destroy everything around you.
Your love is your power. Your pen is your power. Your breath is your power. So open your laptop, pour a glass of wine and be powerful!
Will Reames graduate of Marquette University where he studied political science and theater. He was raised in North Texas by two moms who taught him the importance of helping others, which is the basis of his work.