There a many times I
see Issues beyond my countries borders that make my heart sink for the victims
and it always makes me feel helpless that I can only do so much, especially in
terms of politics and age old issues that I and outsider would be arrogant to
put myself into. But then I look at issues that directly affect me, those in my
area, and those in the country of my parents. Many times I've been told that my
views, my voice would be better heard off the internet, that spreading the word
to millions of people I don't know is pointless and not real activism or
awareness. The internet has granted us such an array of massive, and instant,
communication as it has changed the way we speak to each other. So naturally it
has become an outlet for those who formally hard a hard time having a
voice.
Were
it not for social media like Blogspot, Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook and all their
relations many people with similar ideas, views, and beliefs would probably
have never been influenced, met the people they have, or even be aware of to
make of what's going on in the world around. Let alone knowing you are not
alone in the matter. Those few of you who probably pass by my blog know that I
am very anti-racist, hold strong womanist (Black feminist) views, have a very
liberated with sexual topics, and don't tolerate anti-LGBTQA issues. Through
years of coming out of H.S. it was very much an uphill battle of figuring out
who I am (and I'm still learning but I've come far), learning and dealing with
the racist, sexist, and intraracist world that so threatened to crush me.
Sometimes dealing with the fact that the people closest to you either don't
understand, see no issues, or flat out don't care can make one feel disgruntled
to say the least. A long time friend of mine, though we don't always see eye to
eye, said me "You have such strong ideals but you don't do enough with it,
the blogging, it doesn't do enough for those who are out there living."
While I have made my contributions physically I know this kind of
thing......never has an ending if that makes sense. There will always be
injustice out there. Even before they brought it up I've always thought about
it "Am I really doing anything?". I look at some of the people I've
looked up to see myself, not everyone is an activist and not everyone an be. I see
no fame nor glory but I want to be the change I want to see. I don't think I'll
ever be that person who just happened to be doing the right thing at the right
time as I see those who inspire me.
I
look at social media that has brought a sense of togetherness that helped me
deal with prejudice I am facing in on campus, or work, the many times I'd face
misogynistic encounters or harassment, and how they affect me depending what
comment came from White man, Black man, or other Men of Color. Dealing with
offensive bottom feeders that threatened the well being of those I care about
be they gay, queer, trans, asexual, and disabled. Beauty standards and how I
dealt growing up as a fat kid with congenital scoliosis, when my own countries
leaders rather have a child born but not taken care of. Even my passions such
as literature have a long standing stature of prejudice towards many of us
despite peddling the worst stories I've ever had the displeasure of reading,
and my goals of being apart of change that is literary publishing. All of that,
I've been able to talk to, view, and relate to through the means of the
internet and social media. Many movements and awareness of issues have been
made known through outlets such at these. Through bloggers who've put their
time and dedication into writing. I thank them all.
Maybe
I'm letting their words get to me, or maybe I'm really not doing enough.....I
still haven't found the answer. I do think that out there, within the public
there is definitely a need for a voice but the need for internet social justice
is very much needed as well. I dunno, these are the thoughts I keep in the back
of my head until I have important to do. Whatever course I take, I know I'll
keep fighting some way.
