student 1 edgar

When I think about activism I understand that there is an energy that has a major focus on change on something they are strong about. In most case we can view activists as people who are determined to make a change and ensure that something is done about their cause. We have seen throughout history that many groups have initiated and maintain with the effort to change their cause. Their focus is to bring masses to view and be part of the change. Activists must be people that are willing to sacrifice time and sometimes even money in order to continue fighting for their cause. There are the more silent methods of activism that bring a silent but powerful message to the world. Just recently we have seen a one specific player in the National Football by the name of Colin Kapernick. He is a black NFL Quarterback that played for the San Francisco 49ers at the time he started. His activist or protest was based on the treatment of black people in general by armed law enforcement agents. At the time there had been a couple of incidents that led to black people being shot and killed. This protest was done very silently but clever. It caught the attention of the nation and it formed a debate like no other in a while. This one single protest aligned the people for or against the side of the player and what he believed in. While many felt that his argument was correct there was also the opposition who felt that his action was disrespect to many things the country stood for. Mr. Kapernick kneeled on one knee for the singing of the national anthem. This was a protest like no other as today we still have people that have boycotted the NFL and anything that stand with their logos or teams. They felt the disrespect so deep that they even began giving back their season tickets and for anybody that knows the NFL understands that this is a big deal. Fans can wait for over ten years on a list to purchase season tickets.

In the activist that we find for our group I like many choices from climate change to water scarcity or animal cruelty. One group that I feel has a powerful movement is that of Leonardo DiCaprio as he is a voice for all of these and more. His group is based on being an activist group to make our planet and its resources survive. They also target the wildlife and indigenous rights with the drilling and removing of people from their land. This organization is inspiring as they move to use their influence to bring the masses to understand how dangerous the problems that we are facing in our environment. Reading their objectives and missions I get that they are not activist promoting war but making change. They want the best for the planet and this is what they strive to achieve. Mr. DiCaprio uses all possible influences including social media to promote the awareness and raise funds for the combat of items that are affecting our earth. Not everybody can become an activist and it takes a passion to protect your views and thoughts within cause you are looking to fight for against those that may be against it.

The biggest problem faced by this or other organizations is the fact that they have to deal with very powerful people that can influence government to help them with the law. A rich corporation that is polluting will continue to fund a campaign of congressmen or whoever is needed in order to keep their business in the same state.

Not all activism is political but all activism can become political. I believe it depends on how much you influence the masses and you put their money earnings in jeopardy. While I am unable to prove this I can say it with sense based on what happens and how government will shut down an activist group. We understand that there are influences out there that we cannot see but we know that they exist. This is where we look at the reality of how environment based activist can fail or be taken down. If they become a threat then there will be action. The biggest trait in environment activist is passion and respect for the planet and what it has given us. It is an understanding of what is there and how to preserve it. All of us feel an urge to protect our planet and nurture it like it does back. I also do feel that the crowds of those supporting these causes have a basis of younger ages.

Edgar

student 2 shanya

How does one define activism?

              “Social activists work to promote, guide, or impede changes in the government or business policies and influence the actions of individuals and groups (Social Impact/Activism, n.d., para.1).” Activist work and communicate with community organizations, leaders, business leaders, and policy makers (Social Impact/Activism, n.d.). An activist goal is to improve financial resources, education, and technology (Social Impact/Activism, n.d.).

              A video that I came across is activist protesting against animals in the circus. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), is a group who are activist against unequal treatment of animals. Gonzalez is an activist who claimed that a trainer chained the animals and used whips and electric shocks in their training (Associated Press, 2012). Gonzalez quoted, “If animals are mistreated, we don’t see it on stage, but the bad treatment is being done behind stage and inside of cages (Associated Press, 2012).” Main activist spoke out against using animals as food, in laboratories, in animal testing, as clothing, for entertainment, and the mistreating of animals as pets (Associated Press, 2012).  These activists have taken a strong stance against what they believe, and this can be powerful when a large group of people are working together for one-single purpose.

              An example of today’s modern activism is using sports as a platform to fight social inequality. Famous athletes have been using their roles to fight injustice around the world. The most recent stance is kneeling during the national anthem to acknowledge the racial divide and unequal treatment of people of color. Collin Kaepernick put his job on the line to fight injustice. He kneeled during the national anthem and some people are outraged because of it. He took the stance not to disrespect the flag, but to rather kneel for recognition of social inequalities. Fighting for justice isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it because activist like Martin Luther King Jr didn’t give up. I believe fighting for what you believe in and fighting for fair treatment of all people is a fight worth fighting for.  

Associated Press (Producer). (2012). ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS PROTEST AGAINST CIRCUS [Streaming video]. Retrieved from Associated Press Video Collection database.

History of Social Activism Through Sports. (n.d.). Retrieved February 22, 2018, from http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/history-social-activism-sports-50054909

Social Impact/Activism. (n.d.). Retrieved February 22, 2018, from https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers/college-to-career/chemistry-careers/social-impact.html