Tag Archives: volunteer

From Activism to Volunteerism

Now that the dust has more or less settled in our great America–it hasn’t, the United States can move forward individually again through unique movements and outcries of protest over election results. And we can all go back to our less-effected-by-politics way of life. Well, some of us, at least.

Others will go out and protest an inevitability: a national election dictated by the electoral college, not the popular vote. This inevitable, Trump winning the election, in turn created a mass that did not get what they wanted.  A void that needed to gather and react.

In lieu of this national decision, the presidential election 2016, people have gone out and protested; gone out and destroyed, rioted, disrupted, blocked byways and highways; and generally spent energy revolting at an idea they disagree with.

This reaction is not wrong, it seems necessary. Had it turned out the other way I am sure there may have been protesting, but we will never know. Though, for what it will do, most likely not much, why not invest more time into the positive. React in a way that is productive.

And that is why I say we take action, or reaction, in going from activism to volunteerism. Instead of blocking traffic on 94, block the library with reading programs; sit and teach instead of shout and scream. Mentor.  Head to a homeless shelter and donate your time and energy in a way that is useful to posterity.

Perhaps activism in the form of protests, riots, and destruction over the election process may prove positive and fruitful in the end. It may shed light onto a better way of doing things, in relation to electing proper leaders. But if you get what you give, only giving negative reactionary violence will create the same.

I aver, spend less time on Facebook sharing your ideas within an ideological bubble and get outside and give to your local community. Spend time picking up trash, not creating it as a spectacle for the media, or social media, to spread in digital image or printed press. Make the change you want by individually being an able-minded volunteer, ready to better that around you.  Meld activism and volunteerism for a better world.  Really.

*(I mean, in all honesty, this reaction is something that I observe and see as a huge waste of time, energy, and resources.  It seems wholly ironic, wanting change and doing the same.  Those promoting and asking for peace out of fear go out and create destruction and descent.  I am amazed and how backwards this seems.  I have taken it upon myself to volunteer in my community to counteract this trend of protest and activism, in that same vein making an activism in volunteerism.  Others should try it.)


*colloquialism on activism that is volunteerism, a lot of -isms.