| BARRIOZONA |
| Bilingual Community Expression Published by the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues |
| Is Activism Acting? |
As a kid, I grew up with activism. My father
has been with his union for decades and
raised me on the picket line. When other kids
were playing street football or watching
cartoons, my dad was bringing me to rallies
and protests. I hated it, and would beg me
parents not to go. They would reply, "How do
you think the farm workers we are fighting
for feel? They work in the sun for countless
hours. One hour won't hurt you." I was
unable to comprehend how important these
odd events filled with men and women fresh
off of the nine to five really meant. It didn't
matter how many picket signs I held or rallies
I attended.
As I grew older, I was able to grasp the
reasons why I was standing out in the hot
sun chanting slogans. My change in
perspective on activism had to do with
has been with his union for decades and
raised me on the picket line. When other kids
were playing street football or watching
cartoons, my dad was bringing me to rallies
and protests. I hated it, and would beg me
parents not to go. They would reply, "How do
you think the farm workers we are fighting
for feel? They work in the sun for countless
hours. One hour won't hurt you." I was
unable to comprehend how important these
odd events filled with men and women fresh
off of the nine to five really meant. It didn't
matter how many picket signs I held or rallies
I attended.
As I grew older, I was able to grasp the
reasons why I was standing out in the hot
sun chanting slogans. My change in
perspective on activism had to do with
personal experiences. The simplest things, such as working minimum wage jobs and not getting let on the bus
because I looked like a hoodlum, forced me to face injustice and the need to fight it.
Nowadays, I see activism everywhere. Its wings are expanding everyday -- you see it walking down the street,
going to get some coffee, dancing at concerts, and being written on brick walls. It seems like everybody is trying to
"free" somebody, or to be against the latest big-name corporation. The current popularity of activism today can't be
denied, and everyday reaches new people to shed light on struggles that we all face.
But as its popularity rises and becomes more and more accepted by the mainstream, activism is running a great
risk of becoming diluted of its meaning. Activism may be gliding effortlessly across college campuses, poetry slams,
and neighborhood campaigns, but its foot might get caught on a hurdle called "trendy." What if, for example, the
Gap started making "Ché" and "Malcolm X" shirts? Would that be positive for the raising awareness?
I am happy that young people are now willingly going into activism, and not being forced to into it as I was when I
was a kid. But the activism seems to have morphed into more of a form of expression than an agent of change. You
can wear activism if you buy the right clothes, say it, if you use the right words. Everywhere you turn, you see a
political figure on a shirt. Don't get me wrong, as a trend it is much better then a trend of violence or racism. But
trends need to be careful about its steps. People cannot mistake fashion for the real thing.
Trends tend to fade and I wouldn't want to see activism go out like another pair of MC Hammer pants. Activism is
ultimately not about what lingo you speak, or the music you listen to. It's what sacrifices you are willing to make for
yourself and for others.
because I looked like a hoodlum, forced me to face injustice and the need to fight it.
Nowadays, I see activism everywhere. Its wings are expanding everyday -- you see it walking down the street,
going to get some coffee, dancing at concerts, and being written on brick walls. It seems like everybody is trying to
"free" somebody, or to be against the latest big-name corporation. The current popularity of activism today can't be
denied, and everyday reaches new people to shed light on struggles that we all face.
But as its popularity rises and becomes more and more accepted by the mainstream, activism is running a great
risk of becoming diluted of its meaning. Activism may be gliding effortlessly across college campuses, poetry slams,
and neighborhood campaigns, but its foot might get caught on a hurdle called "trendy." What if, for example, the
Gap started making "Ché" and "Malcolm X" shirts? Would that be positive for the raising awareness?
I am happy that young people are now willingly going into activism, and not being forced to into it as I was when I
was a kid. But the activism seems to have morphed into more of a form of expression than an agent of change. You
can wear activism if you buy the right clothes, say it, if you use the right words. Everywhere you turn, you see a
political figure on a shirt. Don't get me wrong, as a trend it is much better then a trend of violence or racism. But
trends need to be careful about its steps. People cannot mistake fashion for the real thing.
Trends tend to fade and I wouldn't want to see activism go out like another pair of MC Hammer pants. Activism is
ultimately not about what lingo you speak, or the music you listen to. It's what sacrifices you are willing to make for
yourself and for others.
| By Martin Rocha |
Photograph by Eduardo Barraza/BARRIOZONA (Photoshop effect)
| Hispanic Institute of Social Issues © 2006-2007 All rights reserved. webmaster@hisi.org |
