By Dr. Laura McGuire
When you think of an “activist,” who comes to mind? Is it someone on the frontlines of a march? Someone starting a non-profit or excelling in a campaign? It is easy to equate charisma, volume, and power with an activist role. Perhaps that is why we typically think of activism as something that comes in adulthood, after we have earned our stripes and position of authority. But today, I am not speaking to the adults—I want to highlight activism that can happen before you have walked the Earth long enough to receive titles or accolades. I’m talking about student activism.
As a longtime educator and activist myself, one of the most common themes I see with my students is a lack of belief in their own abilities. They have passion, ideas, and energy, but lack direction and/or enough confidence in themselves to begin their activist work. I do think that, in the age of the Internet, where social media gives everyone a much better chance of being heard, more young people see avenues for getting their views and opinions out there. Yet, despite this, there continues to be a vicious cycle where students then compare themselves even more severely to their peers and end up thinking that everything has already been said and done.
Social media is an incredible tool, but it is not the only platform for being a student activist (even though the idea of viral fame can be very alluring). My advice is to remember that activism comes in many forms, and to look to our predecessors for guidance. We are living in a time where human rights, especially LGBTQ rights, are intersectionally under attack. Now is an incredible time to make yourself heard, and voices from all age ranges need to be brought to the table and leveraged.
So now that I have convinced you to get out your soapbox and megaphone, where do you start? Why, as a student, should you get involved in policies and politics that you can’t ultimately decide? Here are my three tips for beginning your activism while being a student:
- Realize How Much Power You Have
You know who has incredible untapped power? Students! You know who schools fear? Students! (In a good way, of course). You might be convinced, or straight up told, that you have no power. But the reality is that schools and communities need students to be happy and retained or they don’t exist.
Want LGBTQ history in your school? Want a speaker to teach queer sex ed? Need more student organizations that speak to inclusion and community action? You are in a position of power to demand these things as a student. The trick is to be strategic—build student partnerships and find out who you need to convince. Every power structure from your school to your state, has people who make decisions and people who influence those decision makers. Building a united front among your peers and then approaching those key stakeholders with clear goals and objectives will get you further than you can imagine.
- Don’t Let Anyone Damper Your Optimism
Sometimes, I hate adults. And I say that as an established adult in my 30s. Adults can be, well, bitter and jaded. This is especially true for activist adults. They are battle–weary—they tried, it didn’t go the way they wanted, and they can’t believe the fight is still on! Do not let their scars be your barriers.
Yes, this is a hard calling. Activism in any form is challenging and has a high burnout rate. Instead, look to those who can make sure you pace your activism, so that you can keep going for the long haul. Which leads us to…
- Find Mentors
OMG mentors! I love mentors. They are hard AF to find, but if you do, then you have hit pay dirt. A good mentor has been where you are right now and can act as a beacon, giving you clear and actionable tools for where to go next.
The mentors I have worked best with understand how low my self-esteem can be and can talk me away from the activism edge. Just when I want to give it all up, they remind me of where I have been, all of the skills and strengths I do have, and how to move forward. I’ve also connected with many queer elders who have helped me remember how far we’ve come and how rich our shared queer history really is.
Remember that no matter your age or status, you have incredible power and value in being the change you want to see in the world. If you have questions or need support, you can always reach out to me directly at [email protected].
