RE: growing activism

Salams Vana,

The measure of an activists progress is directly proportional to the motivations of the activists. If the motivation is fuled by a need to see concrete change, then only if and when that change takes effect will their efforts be redeemed. Ie. WOMANS SUFFRAGE.

However, I suspect that for many, activisim is motivated by the need to identify with something greater then yourself, and to do so in some tangible measurable way. Ie. writing, counselling, marching.

the measure of postive change, when the motivation is self identification is sometimes counterintuitive. ie. The need to feel that you are all the more greater because of your humble efforts. Some people's entire identity is shaped by some greater cause to the extent that success is sometimes sabatoged with pessimism.. IE .. FREEDOM FIGHTERS.

The question becomes not .. WHAT PROGRESS AM I MAKING ? but WHO AM I, IF NOT AN ENVIRONMENTALIST, A POLITICIAN , A HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST ETC..

That is why I believe it is important for people to nourish more then one aspect of thier personality so that the activism does not become the only measure of who they are. When that happens, progress is measured by how much worse things are then how much better they have become.

So your question has a relative answer, depending on the agenda and who is espousing it, and whether you are using a personal or objective yardstick for measurment.

>From: Vana Lopez

>Reply-To: [email protected]

>To: [email protected]

>Subject: [Progressivemuslimsnetwork] growing activism

>Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 08:55:27 -0800 (PST)

>

>Salaam,

>

>I am wondering how those of you who are activists on a

>large(r) level know when what you are doing is

>useful/working? I'm coming at this from the

>perspective of the smallest. Give 1 person some food

>& he is not hungry for a day, shelter and not out in

>the elements for the night. It is very clear what is

>working at that level. it is easy to see if someone

>stops drinking or stops using drugs. it is easy to see

>if someone hasn't killed themself.

>

>As the target of the activist increases past the very

>small, how do you know if your meetings, speeches,

>protests, etc., are doing any good? How do you

>measure it? Is it a "feeling" thing? Is it a level of

>opposing intensity measurement? Is it the

>acknowledgment of others like yourself?

>

>I see this as somewhat separate from the "do the right

>thing" need that we probably all have in that I think

>that the "right thing" is irrespective of

>outcome--more of us having a whiff maybe of what God

>has put us here on earth to do.

>wondering, Vana

>

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