Wednesday, February 22, 2017 How to be an activist: Tips from organizers of Mizzou’s Concerned Student 1950 protest
On Tuesday, Feb. 21, Autumn Branch and Andrea Fulgiam shared their experiences with Mizzou's Concerned Student 1950 protest.
Branch and Fulgiam, along with other African-American students at Mizzou, planned and participated in peaceful protests beginning in the fall of 2015. Black students were regularly experiencing incidences of racism at Mizzou, but the university's administration failed to listen to the students' concerns. As a result, a group of students started organizing protests and wrote a list of demands for the university, signing it "Concerned Student 1950." The group chose the year 1950 because it was the first year African-American students were admitted to Mizzou.
The protests gained national attention and inspired students, including students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, to present their administrations with a list of demands. The protests continue to influence and inspire people to increase awareness of diversity in their colleges and communities.
As a part of their discussion, Branch and Fulgiam shared tips on how to be an activist. Here are six key points from their discussion:
Stand up for what you believe in. Making the decision to take a stance on an issue is the first step in becoming an activist.
Choose a few organizations you can contribute to. Identify the areas where you can make a difference and focus on them.
Find out what you contribute. Remember that activism takes many different forms. You do not need to hold or participate in protests. You can contribute to a cause in a variety of ways.
Don’t focus on being identified as an activist. Allow your passion to drive you. Don’t become an activist just because it is popular.
“Do the things you love for the people that you love,” said Fulgiam.
Remember that change takes time. Change does not happen immediately. Be patient and take the time to teach future generations how to contribute to your cause.
Practice self-care. Activism can be tiring. Remember to take set aside time for yourself. You do not have to say “yes” to everything.