A Tapestry of Life: Souad's Reflections

There is no denying the multitude of horrors that our world is currently facing. From droughts and famine to the climate crisis, ongoing oppression and injustice, and more – It is crucial to recognize our reality. In a time where our senses are inundated with a deluge of information, misinformation, and discourse on what is right or wrong, for or against, and whether to condemn or not, I have, like many of you, taken the initiative to truly conduct myself as an agent of truth, change, and resilience.

We’ve weathered similar storms before, from the wave of fear and uncertainty brought on by a global pandemic to the global protests against racial injustice, and much more in the short years since the beginning of this decade. I’ve taken note of the damages caused by sensory and cognitive overload and I’ve found tools to prevent our hearts from hardening and our spirits from succumbing to inertia or despair.

Let’s start by acknowledging that the conscious or unconscious act of feeling sadness, remorse, or sympathy for the wrongdoing unfolding in our time is already a great indicator that we haven’t lost touch with our humanity. Just like anything we wish to maintain, this connection must be nurtured and protected, allowing it to soften as much as possible to not lose sight of this aspect of ourselves. However, is feeling empathy enough? Not really. While feeling deeply about injustice is significant, action is just as crucial. Demonstrating visibly, on a small or grand scale, the impact of a specific issue guides the collective closer to change. Silence and inaction are never anything but paralyzing and poisonous to the self, leading to alienation from the communities we intersect. Therefore, outlets for the mind and heart to mend are necessary. There are various ways to show support or disapproval of matters close to your heart.

Cognitive Overload in my opinion, is one of the biggest deterrent to progress of our time. More than ever, we are bombarded with graphic, shocking, and gut-wrenching images and content, continuously informed of disasters without intending to seek them out. It is a privilege to receive information at our fingertips; however, we must take responsibility for managing what our eyes and ears digest on a daily basis. The saying “you are what you eat” also applies across all our senses; we must be conscious of what information we consume. The following are two ways I’ve been able to navigate 1) I have consciously devoted myself to one or a handful of causes at a time to avoid depletion. 2) I’ve curated a select number of trusted sources to pull the latest updates (independent news outlets, trusted social media accounts, on-the-ground journalists, or progressive political leaders). This way, I stay informed without (or minimizing) getting caught up in tactics of propaganda, distractions, misinformation, or Gish Galloping. It’s a conscious effort to guard my mental and emotional well-being while staying engaged in the issues that matter most.

When it comes to activism, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Each role – whether marching in protests, signing petitions, engaging in digital advocacy, or supporting mutual aid efforts – is indispensable to the larger cause. It’s through collective action that we’ll ultimately triumph.

How to show up:

1. Marches/Protests/Sit-ins: Organizing and/or showing up to demonstrations is one of the more visible and common forms of activism.
2. Digital Activism: Spreading information (articles, updates, websites, books or documentary recommendations) through social media and other online channels.
3. Mutual Aid/Fundraisers: Showing support through monetary means (bake sales, auctions, gofundme’s, etc.).
4. Artist: Promoting the message and story of ongoing crises through visual art, music, and more.
5. Letter Writing and Petitions: Sending letters and petitions to the heads of organizations targeted by your activism and to your elected representatives.
6. Consumer Boycotts: Organizing boycotts of companies engaged in unethical activities.
7. Civil Disobedience/Direct Action: Directly intervening in situations to halt destruction on the spot, such as blockading construction sites, reclaiming streets, or sitting in trees to prevent deforestation.

In a world fraught with challenges, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or powerless. Yet, by embracing our capacity for empathy, taking decisive action, and uniting in our efforts, we can steer towards a brighter future for all. Together, let’s be the architects of change our world so desperately needs.