I was heavily involved in politics and activism in high school and college, but with COVID and the birth of my son, my energy for organizing and attending rallies slowed down. You can only be so loud through your stories and reposts, however. Recently, as I have been getting back into it, I noticed a lot of people struggling with the same question, ‘Where do I even start? How can I help when I barely have any free time?’
I came across a video by Sara Wiles that addressed this exactly, and it reminded me that activism doesn’t always have to be dramatic, it can be small, consistent, and deeply impactful. Here’s what I’ve learned and what I will be passing on in my community:
1. Pick a Cause You Truly Care About
Start by identifying what matters to you. Here are the causes that Sara listed:
Reproductive Rights
LGBTQIA+ Rights
Racial Justice
Gun Reform
Indigenous Rights
Immigration Rights
Disability Justice
Climate Justice
Anti-Censorship & Book Bans
Public Education
Labor Rights
Food Justice
Prison Abolition
Housing Equity
Mental Health Access
Veteran Support
Healthcare Access
Anti-Corruption/Government Accountability
Choosing a cause you care about deeply will keep you motivated during the inevitable ups and downs.
2. Build Your Community
It helps to have friends who are involved in causes you care about. If not, start local. Grassroots and community-led organizations are often in urgent need of help, and you’ll make a far bigger impact at the local level than on a national scale.
A simple Google search like “your city + cause you care about” can reveal volunteer opportunities, local chapters, and events.
3. Reach Out and Offer Your Skills
When you find an organization, don’t hesitate to reach out. Tell them who you are, why you care, and what skills you can offer. Most movements need help in many forms:
Driving people to polls or protests
Creating spreadsheets or flyers
Bringing snacks to volunteers
You always have something valuable to offer. Movements thrive on movement, and small contributions collectively create big change.
4. Pace Yourself and Embrace the Long Game
Sara reminds us that it’s okay to sit down when we need to. We will lose battles and sometimes feel hopeless, but activism is a marathon, not a sprint. The key is persistence. As she highlights, the late great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said it best, ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’
To be involved is to care. Empathy causes us to feel deeply, to hurt when injustice occurs, but joy is resistance too. Finding joy in activism, celebrating small victories, and connecting with like-minded people keeps the fight sustainable.
Share this with your friends, get involved in causes that matter to you, and check out Sara Wiles’ work for more guidance and inspiration. Every small action matters, and together, we can make a difference.
