by Michael Vazquez
Being an activist is demanding work. It demands we know our communities well. It demands we become experts on the people and the issues we're advocating for, as well as the systems and power structures we're up against. Activism demands that we be incredibly courageous and deeply kind in our work. And that can take its toll on even the most seasoned activist.
But for me, the most demanding part of this work is the unrelenting need for me to see myself and know myself deeply--more deeply, even, than I know the communities I'm serving or those from whom I'm demanding positive change.
Activism is first and foremost the radical act of self-knowing.
It is the notion that I can understand myself, honor myself, and love myself. It is the countercultural work of respecting my very human limitations and the work of knowing my fears and rising above them. I cannot effectively engage in the work of social transformation if I do not first know myself. Not just my skills and my gifts and the beautiful things about me. No. I also most know the difficult, the hard, and the hidden things about me. To be an effective activist I must be able to greet shadow with light. I must work to heal the wounds. I must tend to myself.
We all must. Healing the world begins first with healing ourselves.
Here are a few ways to get started:
1
Work with a mental health professional. Therapy has been the most powerful medicine in my healing as an activist. It has also been the most important duty in my work as an activist. Self-healing and self-work are critical components of self-care and it is fundamental to leading and organizing communities from a place of health and honor. If you haven’t already, find a way to access the help of a therapist who can guide your process of healing.
2
Find spiritual guides. There are limitations to what a therapist can do--and that’s good. No one relationship can serve to fulfill all of our needs. As activists we need to have spiritual guides who help us see and know ourselves. A good spiritual guide or director will shape your spiritual life into one of healing and growing and transforming.
3
Seek rest and silence. One of the most important skills I’ve developed in my life as an organizer has been making space for rest, silence, and a departure from the noise of life. This kind of stillness is cultivated out of your work with spiritual guides and you healing with a mental health professional, but ultimately is involves finding your way to sitting with yourself away from the expectation that activists continually produce and perform.
These are just a few ways to begin the work of self-knowing and self-healing for the sake of your own well being and for just social transformation. As you go on your journey, I hope you find what serves you and serves the world, until all experience justice, equity, and love.
Credits:
Created with images by AJ Colores - "trump rally / trump protest phoenix Here is our video recap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJGUIMWrL3Y&t=0s&list=PLZ-RIhY52KR15j928hDU6BNWvjMoRIteX&index=99" • Toa Heftiba - "untitled image" • Bekir Dönmez - "balance" • Nathan Dumlao - "untitled image"