An activist is a person who fights for various social and political causes. The causes differ with each activist, but some common ones are racial equality, AIDS victims, military veterans, low-income families and the plight of the homeless.

History

Activism is as old as America itself. There were activists who fought for an end to slavery in the 1800s, women who marched for the right to vote in the early 1900s and student activists fought for an end to the Vietnam War in the 1960s.

Types

Activists use different means to advocate for their causes. Some activists write letters to their politicians stating their opposition to new bills, and some hold outside protests to gain support. There are also activists who publish magazines, websites and newsletters that focus on specific issues.

Benefits

Activism allows you to practice your freedom to hold your leaders accountable for their actions, and it also gives you a wider audience. For example, if you're concerned about the state of public schools in your area, you can attend a public forum and voice your concerns.

Disadvantages

Activism can also be stressful if you find that your concerns are not those of the majority. For example, if you believe that the Bible should be taught in school but your school board has more liberal views on education, you could get discouraged.

Considerations

If you want to become an activist, research the issues thoroughly and seek out partners who share your views. One good way is to write blogs about your cause, and then you can pass out fliers and hold meetings to get people interested.

Source:

NAACP

National Council of La Raza

Conservative Political Action Conference