Disturbing the Peace

Feminism must be on the cutting edge of real social change if it is to survive as a movement in any particular country.         Audre Lorde, A Burst of Light

Most often when I speak publicly, I am billed as an activist.  On those occasions, I open telling every one that I am on a mission to find the activist in the room.  "One of you is a dormant activist and you have been waiting for me to set you on fire, encourage you to begin this exciting life, to embrace this most wonderful vocation."  All they need to step off the curb of social safety is another activist.  In the 37 years I have been meeting with people under twenty, there is always a percolating activist in the room.  Many of them I am still in touch with. 

I AM JUST A LITTLE DISTURBANCE is on a button I sometimes wear.  That is all it takes to activate ~ just a little disturbance.  Picture a wet Golden Retriever running into the Thanksgiving dinner party and shaking off the excess water ~ now that's an activist!  Guests jump from their seats, they dash out of the room and their conversation is forever changed. 

A political activist, a feminist activist, a social activist has a very serious duty before disturbing the peace.  There is a deep responsibility to understand the current circumstances, estimate the effect of disturbing those circumstances and commit to supporting the chaos that will naturally unfurl.  Certainly the chaos will reorganize into a new model but that must be the honored outcome and not abandoned.  A responsible activist works to create a deep understanding, a highly developed conscience and a strong center. 

Funny that many true activists have no idea that they are performing a genuine function in society rather than just being a pain in the ass, as their mom or teachers often called them.  No matter what, they are always out there, always moving society along ~ nudging just a bit, asking for a little more leeway, refusing to move, standing strong.

My Little Book of Activist Ethics

To step in, not step around. 

To empower, not control.

To advance, not break.