[206/365] why I do this

[cosmolinguist]

I'm waiting to meet a Stagecoach inspector on the hottest day of the year when I could be inside eating ice cream rather than outside teaching him about how shit bus drivers can be to blind people. I'm going back to Wales this weekend rather than catch up on my sleep because I want to replace a Tory with a Lib Dem in Westminster.

And part of me is wondering why I bother with all this unpaid work and stress and effort. It can be really depressing.

And I'm not personally under pressure to be positive, but I loved this anyway for articulating the answer to why I'm involved in politics and activism:

To me, activism is pure positivity.
It is passionately affirming humanity by taking note of the places it is most endangered and assailed.
It’s being for someone enough to advocate for them when they are vulnerable and marginalized and invisible.
Being positive means being fully engaged in real life.

Comments

[sfred]

Oh, yes, I love that too. Thank you.

[raino]

Wow, that quote articulates something I've not been able to put into words. Fully engaged in real life... I do feel people who are not involved in any activism or volunteering (barring actual practical reasons like health etc) are missing out something vital, even myself I'm not doing as much as I'd like and I feel this lack of engagement with the world!

[barakta]

Oh I do love your quote - I get asked this a lot when I do my disability activism stuff. Feelings are all well and good, actions where possible...