📹 Action Plan
Every power inequities are rooted in the entanglement of colonialism, capitalism and oppression worldwide.
I am terrified for what is yet to come, and I know many of you are too.
We are witnessing global backsliding of basic civil and human rights, deterioration of democratic norms, impeding sense of doom over the climate crisis, and record wealth disparity. Bigots and fascists are becoming more comfortable in displaying and publicizing their hatred in public.
This is the time we mobilize and practice deliberate community building.
In striving for an equitable future, we must adopt a pragmatic mindset: It’s time to shift from an individualist neoliberal mindset in favour of community and care-centric values.
Those who took my advocacy workshops previously can tell you this:
Systemic Change is the cumulative result of smaller changes that bring about a favourable environment. Smaller changes can occur in a multitude of ways: media, political, social, economy, cultural.
I want to invite you to join me in making systemic change happen- in small increments that will eventually accumulating into big changes. Instead of falling into shock and paralysis - as the billionaire class dissect and extracts maximum profit from our people and the planet, let’s hit the ground running and make change happen in our everyday.
We don’t need to have a grand plan, let’s break it down into 3 steps:
Step 1: Pick your battles.
What do you care about? What injustice boils your blood?
☑️ Information is power: Whatever the topic - you may already be well versed, or maybe you want to read and learn more about it.
☑️ Finding allies: Research if local organizations/groups are already working on this issue, look into their board, staff, and finances!
☑️ Knowing your enemy: Understand the processes and institutions that hold power to change the current circumstances
Step 2: Pick your character class.
What role will you play? What is your contribution to community?
☑️ There are no limitations on the number and/or combination of character class.
☑️ Dabble in multiple game saves with different identities, but practice cyber-hygiene to separate your save files.
☑️ Customize your own character: Access your resources, capacity, and ability. What is your unique skill?
➡️ Need some ideas? ➡️
- A sugar guardian 金主 has financial power to contribute via donations.
- A parent 家長 provides emotional, social, and material aid to those marginalized and in distress.
- A peaceful activist 和理非 engages in nonviolent civic disobedience, marches and protests.
- A frontline 前線 is ready to defend the community against violent actors, this includes direct action and disruptive tactics.
- A communicator 文宣 produce materials for distribution; it can be on social media, print, traditional media, or even via AirDrop.
- An educator 老師 cultivates knowledge and passing it along to students and learners.
- An artist 藝術家 creates artwork that brings inspiration and commentary for the public; painting over hateful imagery and decorate their community.
- An advocate 游説 offers a voice to the community in the public and political sphere.
- A volunteer 義工 supports the community by offering their time and effort.
- A journalist 記者 records the current events by reporting on facts, informing the public and holding those in power accountable.
There is no limitation on the number or combination of your battle or character class- mix multiple class in one character or dabbles in multiple game saves under varying identities. You may even develop a new character class. This will look different for everyone, and it is okay. Find what you excel or enjoy doing- and keep doing it.
That brings us to Step 3: Execute.
Strive for consistency not perfection.
You’ve picked your issue and character class. Now, it is time to do it!
Try, fail, adapt and learn. And most importantly, stay persistent.
As you engage in community work, you will meet like-minded people, as well as people who has differing approach than yours. Build trust, collaboration, and have uncomfortable conversations.
Find what you excel or enjoy doing, and keep doing it!
If each one of us is taking a step to make small changes happen: volunteering at a food bank, donating to LGBTQ+ orgs, protesting, voting, reducing waste and consumption, adopting pets from humane societies, paying reparations/rent to Indigenous communities, producing content on accessing reproductive & gender affirming care - the list goes on.
Electoral participation was mentioned recently with the Ontario election, but that’s a very narrow pathway for systemic change. Even so, we need to call out meaningless political posturing and white saviour complexes. Refuse entry to people who are hateful, bigoted, and violent towards those experiencing marginalization. Break the pattern of lateral violence.
Each step we take - they cumulate into something bigger. There is no time to waste, let’s fucking go.
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