Sorry, Your Issue Isn’t Trending Anymore
Start writing a post
Student Life

Sorry, Your Issue Isn’t Trending Anymore

Would you want your issues to just be trendy?

378
Sorry, Your Issue Isn’t Trending Anymore
Defender Network

Here I am...just a few exams away from completing my first year of college. It’s all so fresh that I’m still trying to wrap my head around the past few months. Yes I have gotten less sleep, yes I’ve had to lay aside my dying need to always be perfect, and yes teachers have placed me out of my comfort zone. But overall, it’s been an experience like no other and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

The past few months I’ve really been thinking about what I want to do with my life and how I want to leave an impact on the world (the world doesn’t have to be every continent, it can simply be the people you’re in relation with). Of course I’m an aspiring writer but I’ve definitely realized how strongly I feel compelled to bring change around me to issues or injustices.

In short, the work of an activist is someone who strives to bring change to either political or social issues/injustices. For a while I believed that I had to have a huge platform and following for me to be considered an “activist”. But then it dawned on me that if the work of an activist is to bring change I can easily do that just by speaking up in any arena.

What better arena for a college student then the classroom? For those of you who know me personally, you know my passion for debating and researching in an effort for bringing positive change to the status quo. Although I didn’t have the opportunity to take debate this semester, I was able to take public speaking.

Public speaking has for sure been my favorite class this semester as I get to implement a lot of the techniques I was taught in debate. We were given the assignment of getting into small groups and brainstorming a topic we’d like to have a panel discussion on in front of the entire class. After our group brainstormed pretty much every topic imaginable, we came to a consensus on actually one of my ideas! We would be discussing how social issues have become trends over time.

I could already list probably 20 issues off the top of my head that I knew had become trendy for the sake of staying relevant in my generation. As someone who wants to do even more activism work in the future I stressed the dire effects the situation of social issues only being trends had on the history, present, and future of activism.

We must not dilute the severity of injustices with selfish gain. Thinking of all who have come before me and laid their life down fighting for what they believed in, I would never want to dishonor their legacy with a need for likes on social media or a round of applause from my peers. This is something I wish everyone understood.

All too often I see celebrities, corporations, social elites, and even people I know using the pain and suffering of others to elevate their status. Whether it’s using hashtags for movements you don’t actually advocate for offline or playing along with the extreme ends of a social issue (“femi-nazis” for instance), all these things have negative consequences.

I think it's important that we all find that thing that we are truly passionate about and run with it. Everyone has something that tugs on their heart a little more than other things. As for me I’m still trying to find a balance between all of my passions. There’s a lot that I see wrong and wish that I could fix but I know it’s not my place to try and fix EVERYTHING.

With all of that “said”, I leave you with the word authenticity. For if we are authentic with the things that matter in the world, we will never delve into the dangerous territory of being trendy. Behind every movement there are lives and souls at stake. Consider that the next time you pick up your phone or open your mouth with the intention of wanting to boost your image or being trendy.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

41141
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

25683
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951138
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

134143
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments