www.ambiente.us SEPTEMBER | SEPTIEMBRE 2009
Community Activism | Why do we do it?
by Herb Sosa
Every generation, political and social movement has its leaders. Some are
more vocal, some are more charismatic, and some are just controversial. What
they all for the most part share is the ability to motivate, inspire and lead a
movement. But what happens when Cause Fatigue sets in?
As Americans, we love our causes, and we love to feel we are making a
difference, but out attention span is very limited. Remember Live AID, Feed the
World, We are the World, ONE, Live Strong, Farm AID, …AIDS? We all mean
well. We've all worn the ribbon or bracelets. Many of us have even marched,
raised money & awareness for our cause of choice, and that is a wonderful
thing. The problem comes in when years and years go by, a new generation
comes in, and the issues are still not resolved – not fixed.
Working as an activist for much of my adult life, I have saved buildings from
demolition, trees from being cut down, and fought for LGBT & immigrant equality
from every angle. I have certainly seen many victories in the process, but as a
whole, it is tough to stay motivated when just as you win one, three more issues
come up.
Community Activism | Why do we do it?
by Herb Sosa
Every generation, political and social movement has its leaders. Some are
more vocal, some are more charismatic, and some are just controversial. What
they all for the most part share is the ability to motivate, inspire and lead a
movement. But what happens when Cause Fatigue sets in?
As Americans, we love our causes, and we love to feel we are making a
difference, but out attention span is very limited. Remember Live AID, Feed the
World, We are the World, ONE, Live Strong, Farm AID, …AIDS? We all mean
well. We've all worn the ribbon or bracelets. Many of us have even marched,
raised money & awareness for our cause of choice, and that is a wonderful
thing. The problem comes in when years and years go by, a new generation
comes in, and the issues are still not resolved – not fixed.
Working as an activist for much of my adult life, I have saved buildings from
demolition, trees from being cut down, and fought for LGBT & immigrant equality
from every angle. I have certainly seen many victories in the process, but as a
whole, it is tough to stay motivated when just as you win one, three more issues
come up.
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| . |
| . |
My son, who for many years also
was active in Just Say No, teen
suicide prevention, LGBT youth
leadership and many other worthy
causes, had to step back a few
years ago. It was too much.
It took too much out of him and
everyone around him. The
problems just seemed to keep
growing, especially in the LGBT
community he was trying to do
something positive in.
A recent study done by the
National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force shows that 20 to 40 percent
of homeless youth in the United States identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual. The
same study also found that there are between 15,000 and 20,000 homeless youth
in New York City, of which 3,000 to 8,000 are LGBT. Numbers are similar for most
other U.S. cities.
So why should we keep working for political & social issues?
Why should we keep up the activism? My life is just fine with the
rights I currently have. I’m burnt out! Let someone else help out for
a while, right? … -WRONG.
Every one of us needs to be vigilant in whatever way we can, no matter how
was active in Just Say No, teen
suicide prevention, LGBT youth
leadership and many other worthy
causes, had to step back a few
years ago. It was too much.
It took too much out of him and
everyone around him. The
problems just seemed to keep
growing, especially in the LGBT
community he was trying to do
something positive in.
A recent study done by the
National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force shows that 20 to 40 percent
of homeless youth in the United States identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual. The
same study also found that there are between 15,000 and 20,000 homeless youth
in New York City, of which 3,000 to 8,000 are LGBT. Numbers are similar for most
other U.S. cities.
So why should we keep working for political & social issues?
Why should we keep up the activism? My life is just fine with the
rights I currently have. I’m burnt out! Let someone else help out for
a while, right? … -WRONG.
Every one of us needs to be vigilant in whatever way we can, no matter how
| . |
large or small our efforts. – Telling someone at the office that their joke is just
wrong and hurtful…Calling a TV or Radio station when someone says something
offensive to you or others. Not ignoring the old guy at the bar, making fun of
someone accent or being a snob when someone ill or not a pretty as you is at
the beach next to you. I believe that much of what we as LGBT’s need to do has
to start and change from within our own community. We need to recognize our
own discrimination and self-destruction in order to be respected, earn our rights
and lead.
Everyone get tired of trying. Everyone gets tired of making the calls, marching,
raising money, reaching out, giving what you don’t have and not always getting
a much as a smile back. It’s OK to feel frustrated at times, and even to take a
step back to “recharge your batteries”. It’s OK, as long as you don’t give up and
keep giving in whatever way you can.
You see, Community Activism is not about personal praise, reward, accolades or
ones self. It is about educating, leading, opening minds and ideas. It is about
helping those that can help themselves. It is about giving.
Just this week, my son told me that he now really gets why I do what I do for our
community. Now that he sees thru his own eyes, a new generation with the same
issues that he had - The same questions, insecurities & obstacles. The same
challenges, the same discrimination and hate that he experienced. The same
needs. Maybe this will re-energize him to do more. I know his words have
certainly re-energized me to go on.
---------------------------
Herb Sosa is the Publisher|Editor of Ambiente Magazine, President & co-founder
of Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida the leading Latino|Hispanic gay civil-rights
nonprofit initiative, offering leadership on issues that concern Latino|Hispanic
LGBT(lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) and other minority groups across the
U.S., and has worked extensively in Historic Preservation...and just trying to do
good for others and keep his head above water!
Copyright 2009| HerbSosa & Ambiente. Do not reproduce without prior authorization.
wrong and hurtful…Calling a TV or Radio station when someone says something
offensive to you or others. Not ignoring the old guy at the bar, making fun of
someone accent or being a snob when someone ill or not a pretty as you is at
the beach next to you. I believe that much of what we as LGBT’s need to do has
to start and change from within our own community. We need to recognize our
own discrimination and self-destruction in order to be respected, earn our rights
and lead.
Everyone get tired of trying. Everyone gets tired of making the calls, marching,
raising money, reaching out, giving what you don’t have and not always getting
a much as a smile back. It’s OK to feel frustrated at times, and even to take a
step back to “recharge your batteries”. It’s OK, as long as you don’t give up and
keep giving in whatever way you can.
You see, Community Activism is not about personal praise, reward, accolades or
ones self. It is about educating, leading, opening minds and ideas. It is about
helping those that can help themselves. It is about giving.
Just this week, my son told me that he now really gets why I do what I do for our
community. Now that he sees thru his own eyes, a new generation with the same
issues that he had - The same questions, insecurities & obstacles. The same
challenges, the same discrimination and hate that he experienced. The same
needs. Maybe this will re-energize him to do more. I know his words have
certainly re-energized me to go on.
---------------------------
Herb Sosa is the Publisher|Editor of Ambiente Magazine, President & co-founder
of Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida the leading Latino|Hispanic gay civil-rights
nonprofit initiative, offering leadership on issues that concern Latino|Hispanic
LGBT(lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) and other minority groups across the
U.S., and has worked extensively in Historic Preservation...and just trying to do
good for others and keep his head above water!
Copyright 2009| HerbSosa & Ambiente. Do not reproduce without prior authorization.
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