Protestors leave coffin, demands on Mayor Slay's doorstep
February
9th marked the six-month anniversary of Michael Brown's death. Protestors
called the day Mourning Monday. At about 6:00 am, protestors gathered to begin
a march to Mayor Slay's home. Protestors have pledged to march to the
homes of various city officials every Monday morning until their demands are
heard.
A friend of mine told me that this protest was happening –
but they did not know where the march would be ending. I considered
attending, but ultimately couldn’t make the timing work…after finding out that
the march concluded at Mayor Slay’s home, I was glad I could not attend.
I have been an active part of many protests, community
meetings, and community events since Michael Brown’s death. I even begun
to consider myself an activist (a term that I never thought could be used to
describe me). It wasn’t until the beginning of this semester that I
really started to think about the implications of being an activist. Can
I be an advocate for Ferguson (or any other community) if I am known as an
activist? That’s question I have not yet been able to answer for myself.
I’m hoping as the semester progresses I’ll have a better idea.
I think the question of advocate or activist becomes
particularly important with actions such as Mourning Monday. As someone
who desires to be an advocate for vulnerable populations and communities, I’m
not sure being part of a group that shows up at Mayor Slay’s home is a wise
decision. I envision having to speak to political figures while working
for my clients – I need to think about how they will view my actions as a
protestor and activist.
One of my friends recently said “Advocates wear pumps to
the statehouse to witness, write policy, and talk to legislators.
Activists wear converse and stand in the statehouse with signs and
chants. Both are incredibly necessary. They are different instruments
working toward the same goal. And many times the pumps and the converse overlap
on the same people.” Her statement got me thinking…can I be a person who
wears converse sneakers and carries signs while also being someone who wears
pumps and talks to legislators?
Is this something that any of you have thought about? I’d
love to hear your opinions!
Thank you for your article post. I conquer with your argument that we as social workers need to be both advocates as well as activists in our work towards social justice and empowerment of others. I think it is also essential to know your boundaries as such and stay within your moral compass to not only protect yourself professionally but those who you are advocating for.
ReplyDeleteI commend you for working towards social change by advocating for those within the Ferguson community. It is with your work and dedication towards social change those within minority populations can be seen and heard. This is the first step to making a difference. I also commend you for knowing your boundaries and staying within your moral compass by not attending the “Mourning Monday” march. I believe there is a fine line we walk as social workers between wanting to create change and staying within safe boundaries. Without conflict can there be change?
In regards to the article and the list of requirements from those within the activists group I found one of the requirements to be most important. “Enacting a whistleblower program for officers who want to report other officers” is a great first step to creating a safe environment for officers who bare witness to abuse such as the Michael Brown case. If other officers feel safe to report such behavior maybe that would create a space for them to come forward eventually ceasing the unjust activity.
-Amanda Wycinowski
This is something that I have thought about for a long time. I have always wanted to be change agent and do positive things for my community However, I just simply do not have the time. Between work, school, family, sorority life and church I can only actively particpate in things that one fit my schedule and two mostly are during a church or sorority event. However, once out of school I do plan to be more activite in not just the Furguson situtation because this is what new and hot now, but on other issues as well. I wounder if the activisit currently invovled in Furguson will continue on afterward and fight for other issues?
ReplyDeleteYou definitely raise a very interesting question, Jen, and I feel that I am having a hard time answering it for myself, as well. For me, being an activist is something I never considered for myself. I definitely would say that I fit more of the advocate profile as far as what I have done and plan to do in the future. I think advocating in professional settings at a very micro level is all I have ever done and therefore where I am comfortable. However, I do think that activism is important and I know that I need to engage myself in more of an activist role to break out of my comfort zone a little. I admire your efforts in Ferguson and hope to have the chance to dip my toes in some activism at some point in time. Unfortunately, like Ebony, time is currently very constraining. If I am engaged in efforts as an activist, I want to be sure I have the time to really commit to those efforts.
ReplyDeleteThis question will likely be answered in different ways for everyone and I think that is okay. Social workers can fulfill so many different roles and I think as long as you are comfortable with the efforts you are involved in, that is what is important!
Thank you so much for bringing this article to our discussion Jen. It wasn’t until reading this thread that I considered the differences between an advocate and an activist. I think it is a similar juxtapose that many people in other professions face: How much of myself am I willing to alter, hide, or confine in order to be successful in my field. The person I have been majority of my life feels most comfortable in converse, with a picket sign or blaring out my heart-song. As I transition into the workforce, it’s essential to be aware that there are professional consequences to personal actions. I am still growing, learning, and undecided as to who exactly I want to become and what that looks like in the professional realm and for now I think that is okay. I would love to metaphorically wear heels and testify for the disadvantaged before a body of government that I hold little respect for but not if the cost is hiding a piece of what brought me here.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I think the demands of the Artivists group noted in the article are extremely reasonable and should all be seriously considered. Particularly Signing legislation for a civilian oversight board of police work that includes subpoena power for the board members, Terminating the practice of hot-spot policing, Enacting a whistleblower program for officers who want to report other officers, Pushing for more TIF-funded projects on the north side and Meeting with Ferguson activists to discuss racial inequities in St. Louis.
This was a great article. I also admire Jen's efforts in Ferguson. I was not aware of the difference between activist and advocate either prior to reading the comments. I would agree with Hayley that being comfortable in efforts that you are involved in is extremely important. Work, family, and school seem to prevent me us all from doing more than we should. I can honestly say that I know I need to do more. I am sure Jen is busy as well so, maybe scheduling this in may help us all be better advocates and/or activists.
ReplyDeleteYou are right in pondering about the different attitudes of activists and advocates. I think you need to have a certain amount of credibility to be successful at either venture. But while most anyone can be an activist, the most successful advocates are those who are able to cultivate relationships with both clients and those in a position to help (political and business types). I feel advocates are more likely than activists to have the background and education necessary to develop practical solutions to community problems. In fact, a good advocate can interact with (and be a buffer between) activists and the power elite. This can require a lot of finesse but not too much notoriety (like activists are likely to possess). Politicians and business leaders like dealing with moderate types rather than reactionaries. And the end of the day, it is all about the client.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the Artivists, I agree their demands are reasonable, but I don't see anything offered from their side... no community responsibility. Their demands won't solve all the problems faced by Ferguson and other municipalities. For example, the Artivists should call on residents to be more cooperative with the police when crimes are being committed in the community. Many residents know who is doing what, but are remaining silent for various reasons. This is counter-productive to community safety and prosperity. Of course, this could be due to a lack of trust by residents of their police force, which under the circumstances is understandable. But perhaps the real answer is for change to happen on both sides. Activism is an important part of the process, but advocates are in a much better place to make that dual change happen. Activists make demands. Advocates offer solutions.
Jenn, thank you for your honest, vulnerable post. As we become professional social workers, I have begun to think along these same lines. I liked how Nici said it, “there are professional consequences to personal actions”. As people who are going to be working as advocates for our clients, our actions as activists may or may not aline. I think it’s an important thing to grapple with and understand that both roles may be able to be played.
ReplyDelete