#I think being a Unitarian Universalist helped too tbh

[themightycourtjester]

Before anyone tries to say anything abt me not posting anything online about any current events going on around the world, all the work I do is mostly offline and within my community and teaching everyone in my community these things. I have more of a voice offline than I do online at this current point in time, so doing my activism offline is honestly more productive than it is online.

I just know it's only a matter of time before someone tries to come on here and say I support stuff or refuse to stand in solidarity with anyone because I'm not posting or reposting stuff(which I do repost things, just not as often as others).

The last generation in my family to show any strong, progressive activism were my great grandparents, and it's their legacy and my own morals + basic human rights that I plan to uphold.

Community building and informing others in a rational and non-combative way is a huge part of activism that so many people now tend to overlook. Even with the people you 100% disagree with, you still need to listen to what they're saying, because if you don't, you'll also look like an idiot. It's important to listen to what they're saying to try to understand their point of view(even if it's extremely unethical and horrible and you hate thinking about it), because in the end, if you refuse to even hear them out, then their ideology is 100% never going to change/they'll never even reconsider their POV.

"How is community building helping others that aren't in your community/not even in your country though?"

It helps because then, it spreads awareness through direct human to human contact and you're not stuck in a perpetual echo chamber. You hear differing opinions, nuance, different sides and how it affects them or someone those people know. Community building helps others learn compassion and kindness to their fellow human being. You learn not only to respect others, but also your environment as well. You learn about other people's culture, whether it's regional or international culture.

All these things are so important. It's the foundation for the change that so many people are wanting right at this very moment. If we do not have community and cannot learn how to listen and respect each other and come together, then the atrocities that we are seeing going on around the world are going to continue to happen. And I am speaking from a very US-centered POV here, I am aware of that, and so this is more of a call-in to other Americans as well. I know that me saying this isn't really going to get anywhere, but I just feel like I need to get it out there, you know?

Shoot the cop in your head, learn compassion, uphold, demand, and enforce human rights for all, don't use your religion to tell others what to do, and finally, don't be a fucking asshole.

And remember, being an activist and trying to do the right things isn't going to be comfortable or easy all the time. In fact, you'll actually get worked up! You'll fuck up! Thats okay! And when that happens, learn from your mistakes and listen to others. Don't talk over marginalized communities, even if you believe your information is accurate. Humans are not inherently evil and humans are not inherently good either, we're very grey. Actually, grey isn't the best way to put it, moreso- humans are the paint that creates life, all different colors, mediums. You mix specific colors to make others, you use more of one color or more of another. *Everyone is different, and that is okay.*

Learn to be kind to yourself as well, it's so hard to be there for others when you're never there for yourself.