Being “Good Enough” In Activism
I sometimes worry that I’m not a “good enough” feminist.
Sounds crazy, I know. I mean really, where is this imaginary bar that measures one ability/aptitude/competence as a feminst.
I recently entered into a fantastic strategic partnership with a womens’ organization whose message and activist work align intrinsically with my beliefs. “The Maine Women’s Fund is a philanthropic and leadership community for women in Maine. [Their] community enables women to use their vision, voice and resources to create lasting change for everyone.” As part of my business partnership with the Maine Women’s Fund I became their social media manager.
Funny, the whole thing started by talking about a mentoring program and me thinking that it would be the coolest thing to write a little for them. After sitting and chatting with one of them I let her know that I had looked at their marketing and relationship models, and felt there was a serious gap in their online and social presence. Next thing I knew I was signing the contract.
With all this involvement in such a strong women’s organization you’d think that I might have my act together as a feminist. Yet whenever I meet other feminists to chat about our feminist beliefs I am overwhelmed. And I am not a woman who is easily overwhelmed nor do I usually back down.
This a problem I see with many activist causes and social change initiatives. While passionate about my beliefs and in general a kind and compassionate person, I am far too analytical and discerning to blindly tote an immovable and concrete “line.” I listen to all sides of an argument before forming decisions based in pure logical and scientific method. I do not believe that telling people they are wrong and narrow-minded will sway them. I grow tired of sensationalized propaganda and advertising.
And somehow when I talk to other feminists, especially more mature and sometimes older feminists, I’m patted on the head and told essentially “That’s cute but you’ll learn.” As if because I’m young/mostly rational/seemingly uncaring I’m not doing something right. That I have something to learn about how to be a feminist “the right way.” That feminism – ANY activism – is a cookie cutter model that people either adhere to or don’t fit in.
I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in some pretty great movements in social media directed specifically at identifying the unique opportunities each of us has to institute lasting social change. And I am excited to be a co-creator of yet another, Young Professionals for Social Change. This is a Twitter chat that I co-moderate on Thursday nights at 9 PM EST with Akhila Kolisetty. She describes it AWESOMELY well here. I do hope that if you are reading my blog you will be inspired to stop by and continue the great conversations that have been start around the internet.
My work with the woman at the Maine Women’s Fund has taught me to be myself, and let my dissenting yet hopeful voice be heard. We need to bring that to others. To let young professionals know that they are important and pivotal instruments of social change. To know that we don’t necessarily have to be working full-time for non-profits to be passionate about change. And to discuss, learn from and grow in our social changing lives with our fellow young professionals.
Photo Credit: Getty Images: Altrendo Images
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