On Social Activism

What can we do to make the world a better place? When I first met Jenniefer of Blue Sky Horse Radio I realized that there are many issues that motivate people to act. A problem that affects someone personally gives them added energy to resolve, or at least attempt to solve the problem. In Jen’s case, it was her love for horses that motivated her to go on a campaign to raise awareness of the horse slaughter industry that is beginning to flourish in Western Canada. This is indeed a worthy cause to get behind, but what about human trafficking? What about the destruction of many ecosystems so that a few businesses can profit? There are many issues that are worthy of our attention, and various groups in the K-W region are attempting to address some of these problems from a grass roots level.

Community and political activism has been around for many decades, and their successes have been a mixed bag. The problems of our society are complex, and their roots, elusive. Occupy Waterloo Region attempted to spread public awareness of our corrupt monetary system; Transition K-W offers climate change adaptation tool kits to help citizens learn how to conserve energy, and transition to more sustainable ways of living. The Zeitgeist Movement also attempts to spread awareness of our corrupt political economic system and suggests alternative systems to replace them. Waterloo Peer Interest Research Group attempts to educate the general public on human rights violations occurring all over the world. Activist groups still missing in the Waterloo Region include a ‘We Are Change’ KW chapter, a ‘Thrive’ chapter and a Free State project.

Affecting change on a global level may seem like a tumultuous task but I think some progress has been made through the efforts of activist groups such as those mentioned here.

Gandhi said: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Deepak Chopra defines success as: “The continued expansion of happiness and the progressive realization of worthy goals. Success is the ability to fulfill your desires with effortless ease.”

For a community activist group to be successful on a group level and on an individual level, I believe that these advices by these two gentlemen should be heeded.

Any activist group, is simply a group of human beings. A group of individuals coming together, each with their unique qualities. For any group of people to be able to communicate and work together effectively, certain social factors must be in place. There needs to be an atmosphere of warmth, and belonging. There needs to be a positive element for every attendee so that they will wish to come back regularly to participate in the group activities.

Although this socialization may be necessary to create cohesion in the group, it may also serve as a limit to the group’s progress. Once one is satisfied on an emotional level with their societal environment, their desire to affect change in the society dampens. Presently, this is the paradox happening within community activist groups.