I have been called many things during my life, but don't recall 'activist' as being one of them. However, as I break down the idea, and what it actually means to be an "activist" I choose to accept this title as a wonderful and exciting new label I never even thought of applying to myself
Sometimes activism isn't what "you" might expect it to be. When I was introduced as an "activist" as part of my role as facilitator for #TheBoysProject I was surprised until David, project manager at Bryony Kimmings Ltd Boys Project, explained that my act of writing and sending him an email, sharing my thoughts about the project in relation to my understanding about the necessity for emotional resilience and vulnerability, was in fact an act of an activist
According to #Wikipedia there are numerous forms of activism, with the definition of an activist being:
" Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede, or direct social, political, economic, orenvironmental change, or stasis with the desire to make improvements in society and to correct social injustice. Forms of activism range from writing letters to newspapers or to politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing businesses, rallies, street marches, strikes, sit-ins, and hunger strikes. One can also express activism through different forms of art. Daily acts of protest such as not buying clothes from a certain clothing company because they exploit workers is another form of activism. One view holds that acknowledging privileges and oppressions on a daily basis ranks as a form of activism.[1] Research has begun to explore how activist groups in the United States[2] and in Canada[3] use social media to facilitatecivic engagement and collective action.
The Online Etymological Dictionary records the English words "activism" and "activist" (in the political sense) from 1920[4] and from 1915[5] respectively. "
Reading through this explanation of activism I would say I am more of an activist than I thought
For example, I don't shop in Primarni for many years, instead I would rather travel several miles to get to a location that is not the easist to get to via public transport so I can not only buy great clothes at a better price than that shop, but also because the profits go to help families affected by birth defects - that is an act of style-focused-activism (I'm not into fashion)
Newlife literally gives my wardrobe a new life every few months, and it's a charity
win win
Sometimes activism isn't what "you" might expect it to be. When I was introduced as an "activist" as part of my role as facilitator for #TheBoysProject I was surprised until David, project manager at Bryony Kimmings Ltd Boys Project, explained that my act of writing and sending him an email, sharing my thoughts about the project in relation to my understanding about the necessity for emotional resilience and vulnerability, was in fact an act of an activist
According to #Wikipedia there are numerous forms of activism, with the definition of an activist being:
" Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede, or direct social, political, economic, orenvironmental change, or stasis with the desire to make improvements in society and to correct social injustice. Forms of activism range from writing letters to newspapers or to politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing businesses, rallies, street marches, strikes, sit-ins, and hunger strikes. One can also express activism through different forms of art. Daily acts of protest such as not buying clothes from a certain clothing company because they exploit workers is another form of activism. One view holds that acknowledging privileges and oppressions on a daily basis ranks as a form of activism.[1] Research has begun to explore how activist groups in the United States[2] and in Canada[3] use social media to facilitatecivic engagement and collective action.
The Online Etymological Dictionary records the English words "activism" and "activist" (in the political sense) from 1920[4] and from 1915[5] respectively. "
Reading through this explanation of activism I would say I am more of an activist than I thought
For example, I don't shop in Primarni for many years, instead I would rather travel several miles to get to a location that is not the easist to get to via public transport so I can not only buy great clothes at a better price than that shop, but also because the profits go to help families affected by birth defects - that is an act of style-focused-activism (I'm not into fashion)
Newlife literally gives my wardrobe a new life every few months, and it's a charity
win win
When I collected socks for homeless people and then went and handed them put, via an awesome mini festival I organised and called #SocktoberFestUK I was being an activist (thanks to #TheKidPresident Brad)
When I shared my story about recovering from codependency fuelled sex and love addiction in The Sun and Womens Own, I was acting with the hope of giving people hope and speaking out about a subject that is prevelant and yet rarely addressed - it was enlightened of the #BryonyKimmingsBoysProject to go ahead and use me as a facilitator after knowing this was me...
I am still raising funds so that I can work with women in Africa who got in touch after the article went viral around the world
When I made a beautiful postcard for the fundraising event by #GAPartists #BeyondBorders I was using my art to contribute to social activism
Sometime over the next few days I'll be writing a blog about the workhsop I ran on 9th April 2016 for the #BryonyKimmingsBoysProject at The MAC in Birmingham
I wanted the young men to leave with an idea that they must not only have a desire to change the world, but that true authentic change begins within the person. As we change the world around us must change in one way or another, when we begin to change, nothing else can stay the same
It was the first in a series of training, development and selection days for BK Ltd to decide which of the young men who applied for the role will be suitable for the Peace Army they are creating
This is an exciting and pioneering project, that could potentially do a great deal to help change the world
Bryony Kimmings Ltd Boys Project
#TheBoysProject #TheMAC #ar4h #OluseyiKoladeSelfLove #selflove #SelfCare #innerbeauty #Workshops #Authentic #freedom #music #fun #flow #BoysProject #seyikolade #370 #activist #ChangingTheWorld
Dance as social activism
When I shared my story about recovering from codependency fuelled sex and love addiction in The Sun and Womens Own, I was acting with the hope of giving people hope and speaking out about a subject that is prevelant and yet rarely addressed - it was enlightened of the #BryonyKimmingsBoysProject to go ahead and use me as a facilitator after knowing this was me...
I am still raising funds so that I can work with women in Africa who got in touch after the article went viral around the world
When I made a beautiful postcard for the fundraising event by #GAPartists #BeyondBorders I was using my art to contribute to social activism
Sometime over the next few days I'll be writing a blog about the workhsop I ran on 9th April 2016 for the #BryonyKimmingsBoysProject at The MAC in Birmingham
I wanted the young men to leave with an idea that they must not only have a desire to change the world, but that true authentic change begins within the person. As we change the world around us must change in one way or another, when we begin to change, nothing else can stay the same
It was the first in a series of training, development and selection days for BK Ltd to decide which of the young men who applied for the role will be suitable for the Peace Army they are creating
This is an exciting and pioneering project, that could potentially do a great deal to help change the world
Bryony Kimmings Ltd Boys Project
#TheBoysProject #TheMAC #ar4h #OluseyiKoladeSelfLove #selflove #SelfCare #innerbeauty #Workshops #Authentic #freedom #music #fun #flow #BoysProject #seyikolade #370 #activist #ChangingTheWorld
Dance as social activism