Everyone is an activist
My story of becoming an activist for Ukraine and a message to everyone fighting for freedom.
Someone recently wrote to me: “Thank you for your continuous activism through your writing!” and it struck me for a moment that I was an activist. I’ve never thought I would become one. I always felt very strongly about injustice, but I thought that I didn’t have the power to change things nor the courage to challenge people’s opinions. I was minding my own business, never expressing my beliefs online, avoiding talking about politics with friends, and politely nodding to the things I didn’t agree with to avoid confrontations. Everything changed when Russians dropped the first bombs on Kyiv, the city where my husband’s family lived. It was a pivotal point in my life, even though I didn’t understand it at that time. My fears of being judged or rejected didn’t matter anymore. When something happens that shakes you to your core, turns your whole belief system upside down, and violently ruins the illusions you lived in – you can’t continue to live the way you did, and you can’t keep silent. In one moment, you stop caring what others think of you because you clearly understand who you are and what you stand for, and this clarity gives you a set of wings named courage and confidence.
I see many people going through the same process of transformation and realization that Ukrainians and their families went through three years ago. I see people speaking up who have always kept silent. I see people starting to resist in ways they never thought they would. I see people becoming activists without realizing it, just like it happened to me. Seeing this gives me hope.
When I started to speak up, I was met with a tsunami of criticism. Some people were surprised that I had strong opinions and were telling me to stay in my lane and out of politics. Some people were triggered by my honesty and accused me of being emotional, biased, and hateful to justify their cowardice. Some people didn’t say a word and quietly cut me off their lives. It hurt, but it felt liberating at the same time. Of course, I was afraid of staying lonely, but the more space was vacated, the more new people found their way into my life – people who supported my views and shared the same values, and with whom I wasn’t afraid of being myself and didn’t have to carefully choose the words.
People become activists when they choose action instead of passivity, compassion instead of ignorance, and resistance instead of submission. Activism can take different forms and shapes and looks different for everyone. Many activists don’t think of themselves as such because they don’t have a large following on social media, don’t participate in demonstrations, or don’t organize fundraisers. However, they become activists by staying informed, sharing the news and stories that shed light on the truth, donating money and supporting initiatives, reaching out to their political representatives, speaking with their friends and family, and spreading awareness in their circles. If you care, act, and resist – you are an activist.
An advice to activists reading this (and it’s every one of you):
When you start speaking up, you want to educate and reach the hearts of everyone you meet. However, the goal is not to change the mind of every single person, as you will spend all your energy on counter-productive conversations or online fights. The goal is to find people who are already on your side and need more motivation or information on how to help, or people who have enough mental ability to learn and empathize. It is rarely possible to reach those lost in propaganda and indifference. No matter how many emotional stories of pain and injustice you share, they won’t show empathy. No matter how logical or factual your arguments are, they won’t show understanding. In the end, everything that was ever possible to change and achieve was not because the absolute majority of people supported it, but because relatively small groups of caring and proactive people didn’t give up and kept pushing until they saw the change. Let’s keep pushing.
Warmly,
Darya
Email: daryazorka@substack.com
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A great testimonial and reminder that ordinary people can make a very big difference.
We can all: contacting representatives many times a week to support Ukraine and to not force them into capitulation; by writing letters to the editor of their local paper letting them know they do not agree with what is being done to our country and demand accountability in reporting; by attending rallies in support of Ukraine and US democracy; by displaying flags (both US and Ukrainian); by giving as little or as much as they can to causes which further what they believe in.
We all must do what we can.
If anyone needs help on any of the above, please reply in comments.
Thank you for your courage. Ukrainian people like you have so inspired me. So much heart and clarity. Vision. Zelensky is the leader we wish all countries had, imo. "In the end, everything that was ever possible to change and achieve was not because the absolute majority of people supported it, but because relatively small groups of caring and proactive people didn’t give up and kept pushing until they saw the change."
Even just strongly from our hearts wanting human rights upheld is contribution to mass conciousness imo.