January 22, 2013
Why’d You Have to Go and Make Things so Complicated?
One of the things that I always hear people say when I talk to them about activism of all sorts is ‘well, I won’t make any difference by myself’. Honestly? That’s really completely untrue. Every small voice, especially when joined together can make a huge impact, even over seemingly impossible obstacles.
Today, we have a guest vlogger, Lauren Fairweather, who speaks to just this important point. In her vlog, she talks about being an activist, albeit an imperfect one.
I think that an imperfect activist is much more likely to change the world than a silent one. ~Lauren Fairweather
So many people don’t speak up just for that reason. They think that they aren’t good enough, aren’t strong enough, aren’t articulate enough to make a difference in the world. However, when Neville stood up to his friends when they wanted to sneak out, his little act of bravery flipped the entire House Cup in Gryffindor’s favour. Each voice is important, whether it is as strong as the next one or not.
We need to speak up for those who can’t. Sure, chocolate’s yummy, but if it comes at the expense of others, is it really worth it? Honestly, I fall into the trap sometimes. ‘Eh, it won’t matter if I get this or shop here. What is one more thing really going to matter?’ It does matter, though. If you stop getting something, if you speak up against something, your friends and acquaintances will take note and will take part as well.
So, please, go to Show us the Report and join with us, as small and imperfect as your voice might be, to get Warner Brothers to tell us where HP chocolate comes from.
Mary
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One of the things I love about HPA is that most of us have had no experience in activism. We might have a few issues we care about but in general, we don’t know how to express those views. HPA gives an open door to a lot of teenagers and young adults by helping pick out a few issues and creating graspable ways of effecting change. We have all the stats about all of the amazing things that HPA has been able to do as a group but I’m curious about what HPA members have done throughout the world individually, inspired or motivated by their involvement in HPA. I have a feeling this organization has reached much farther than just what the group as a whole has done by teaching young people how to be advocates for interests that are important for them.
Quinn Kess
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That’s actually a really good question, Mary! I can’t speak for everyone in the HPA, (and if other people are reading, they should chime in!) but I know many of us have gone to marriage equality rallies, made phone calls for various issues, and done work for other non-profits.
Personally, I work for the Connecticut legislature. Because of my work with the HPA, I’ve been more able to speak out and give my opinions on things (before, I was always a bit shy in actually opinionating)
Mary
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I’m really new to the HPA, I just subscribed to the youtube channel last summer and the Equality FTW fundraising campaign was the first thing I participated in so I haven’t really become engaged in other issues yet but I definitely want to and I’m trying to keep my eyes open for things that I can do.