Activism Made Easy

Activism Made Easy
by Elizabeth Kanabe

A few of us visited the National Constitution Center during the break, thanks to a great recommendation by Ashley! At the Center we watched a movie about the Revolution and how the Constitution was formed. The movie discussed the freedoms granted by the Constitution, those that we kept fighting for in the past (slavery, voting rights, etc.), and are still fighting for (gay rights, abortion rights). One of the last lines in the movie spoke about how it is now our turn to keep fighting for freedom. At that, I wondered how many people in the audience don't feel they have anything left to fight for. They might see gay rights and the abortion debate as only two small issues left, and two issues that they need not involve themselves with as there are already enough people on both sides. Freedom is not always looked at as a process; or fighting is appropriate in history, but not today. Many don't realize a need for change, while others lack a vision or strategy for achieving change.

Good morning! This morning I am here to talk a little bit of my thoughts on activism. The definition I found in one dictionary says activism is "the use of direct, often confrontational action, such as a demonstration or strike, in opposition to or support of a cause". To put a definition down in my own words, I think of activism simply as directed actions to support a specific cause, circumstance or idea, or actions to change a cause, circumstance or idea. Basically it is something you consciously do to make things go your way, whether it is in congress, at your job, or interacting with your friends.

In any situation there are three things that surround actions. First is what people do (work, sleep, play, raise children), the second is how people do it (honestly, slowly, discreetly, eagerly), and the last is the environment in which things happen (government, how things are run somewhere, job environment, etc). Activism can take place in all three areas, but I am going to focus mostly on changing the environment.

Productiveness is accepted among objectivists that you should do something. We even know how you should do things (i.e. the right means to the end). And we know the ideal environment that we'd like to live and work in. But unlike the other two, the environment is often is often looked at as either an unchangeable set-up that we react to, or as a choice to change rather than any obligation. Activism is usually seen as optional. I think that we should think of activism as a necessity. The benefits are not always experienced immediately, and often seen as not worth the "waste of time."

Too often I see people get frustrated with they way things are and withdraw. They give up and decide, at least for a while, to do their job and only deal with their family and friends rather than deal further with irrationality and frustration that might surround them. If questioned about "fighting" for change, they say that no one has the right to tell them what to do, and they won't sacrifice themselves to an impossible cause. If they find themselves in an unfavorable situation, they either put up with it or leave to find new surroundings rather than try to change things where they are.

What I would like to do is for those of you who think that activism means marches in front of the White House, writing an article a day, or becoming a well known lecturer, I'd like to show some examples of what you can easily do, and know that you are still making a difference. But first you need to decide that you will make some sort of impact and not run off to live in a cave every time things seem impossible.

I remember hearing about the only blind man to ever climb Mount Everest, so far. He enjoyed climbing and was to set off with a guide to climb the mountain. He didn't really think he could reach the top, but he didn't think it mattered, because people didn't expect him to and he had a great excuse. The guide sensed this, and asked if he really thought they'd make it. The blind man said no, not really, but it'll be fun to try. To this the guide replied that without the vision of reaching the top, no matter how good they are, they never would make it. What is worse, they could die or hurt themselves on the way. The guide wouldn't agree to climb until the blind man decided he would reach the top. The blind man eventually did, and they did in fact reach the top; one slow step at a time.

Our goals often look like the top of Mount Everest and we feel blind in our journey. But with our focus on the goal and our feet taking one step at a time, we can reach those goals. We can accomplish impossible tasks and, with only a few people, accomplish things like what Lindsay had earlier talked about in his speech.

Instead of looking at the top of the mountain you're trying to reach, look down at your first step. Take the steps and before you know it, especially with others help, you may just be at the top. Know that small changes are achievable and really add up. The hardest working objectivist who never tells a lie and has read every book there is, but withdraws from society, is no more useful in activism than a night-shift waitress who doesn't know or care a thing about politics and philosophy. Knowledge only gives you potential power, activism and your actions put that power into motion.

So, where to begin? Maybe you're wondering where you could apply your efforts, and the great thing about that is that it doesn't matter! You can pick somewhere to focus your attention, or you can take things as they come along. I usually just do the latter, as plenty of situations arise where I make a difference. Personally, I do apply a lot of my efforts at work. I enjoy the hospital industry, but not usually how it's run, and will change it as best I can! What would happen if all of us with the knowledge of how things could be were to leave, and left things to those who think the industry is run ideally right now? Most likely in a few years when you needed a hospital's services, they either wouldn't be there or it would be paid 100% through your taxes.

So I take my knowledge of what is wrong, my idea of what it could be like, and I make any small changes that I can to get towards that ideal. Here is an extremely easy example of activism. I am in several of the state's health care societies. One of them was preparing for their annual seminar next week, and I got invited to sit in for the planning of it. One thing I very much despise about many health care seminars is that they are often just a sop story about the latest things wrong with the industry and how it will decrease profits even more for us. At one seminar I was at in NYC a couple months ago, entitled something about "The Crisis in Health Care...", one of the guest speakers who was from a bond company pointed out that even our titles are about crises always, so it's no wonder we're not liked among the finance world! Who would want to lend money to us??

So when the discussion turned to what topics we would address in our seminar, as soon as things started to go the way of "what's the latest wrong with NJ's health care" I suggested that we stay away from these negative seminars with bleak outlooks, and instead try to have a seminar which shows that we can proactively take control of our planning. And wouldn't you know it, they agreed! So while that might not seem like activism to many of you, it is. I can do that at least a hundred more times in my career, and along with my efforts and actively speaking up at meetings at work and via my actions in my job, I will be making a difference. (Since SOLO 3, we had the seminar and people were on a waiting list to get in; it was the most successful seminar in recent years for the society. Friday I got a phone call asking to co-chair the program committee next year and get to plan the coming year's events).

Activism might also be trying to change someone's thought process, rather than just winning an argument. If you are debating an issue, don't try to change the way they think about situation X. Too many people already look at situation X and then situation Y, and do not see how they are in the least bit connected, as one is about smoking and the other guns. But if instead of trying to get them to simply agree with you, you show them how to be consistent in their thoughts concerning rights and laws, you will hopefully have achieved something much better.

A few weeks ago I regrettably got into a discussion with an acquaintance about the smoking ban in New York. She argued that although she didn't think it was the government's job to impose such laws, she supported the law herself because she doesn't smoke. She failed to see the difference between a right, and what is right for her. Rather than just argue the side of those opposing the law, I tried to get her to be consistent in her beliefs and values whatever the outcome. Either she should believe that government has that right, or say they don't and stick to it. I am fairly certain that I didn't get through to her, but I can hope that it did have a greater effect than if we had just agreed to hold different views, argued about the law or stayed silent to avoid conflict.

There are probably infinite numbers of little things that you can actively, consciously do, which change people's actions and the environment around you that you have never thought of as activism before. Do something to inspire others to live better, nicely point out to someone that you understand how they feel but maybe xyz isn't the best way to react, live your life as an example that others will want to follow.

And if you want to get more involved, gather the confidence to jump off the deep end and see what happens. As people start things like SOLO, blogs, foundations, schools, children's products, magazines, books, they are simply making a decision and going with it. They may have no more knowledge or experience than you do, what they have is the will to try it and ask, what have they got to lose? What happens if they don't try? The payoff if they are successful is worth the risks. And as a last option, if you're ready to get more involved in a larger group and aren't ready to jump off the deep end yourself, ask those who have what you could do. Determine where you'd like to get involved, and how much time or what resources you have to offer, and make a plan.

All of the people in this room, especially the speakers this weekend, have done amazing things, probably more than they themselves even know about. The next time that things get frustrating, use that to fuel your ideas. Don't let the thought that you're not obligated to do anything be your excuse for allowing things to go on as they are. Think about your day-to-day actions and how they make the world what it is. Strategize what you want to achieve and what the best way is to get there. This isn't something that comes naturally to us, it's making a battle plan, no matter how small the battle might be. 1,000 little pinpricks can really make you bleed if you don't stop them! And 1,000 small actions to better our environment can also have a great effect! Finally, recognize what you do accomplish. Be proud of yourself and use that again to further fuel your ambition and actions. Use SOLO as a support system and keep stepping up. Thank you.

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