One of the most common phrases I hear "I believe (insert idea here) but I don't talk about it online cause I don't want to be THAT person". I truly understand why some people choose not to talk about some issues online, whether it be you just truly aren't passionate about that area, or maybe you aren't as educated on the subject as you would like to be. I understand the appeal of staying quiet about issues that tend to ruffle some feathers, but I want to know what is wrong about being THAT person.
Let's start with the main question. What does being "THAT" person actually mean? Does it mean I am annoying because I have an opinion? Does it mean that I am seeking attention because I bring awareness to different areas of passion? Or does it truly mean that I make statements that make you uncomfortable because in some way you know them to be true? All of those could possibly be the truth, but I do not care. Personally, I won't back down from a powerful subject because you may be annoyed. I won't stay quiet because you believe a sexual assault victim talking about women's rights means that she's 'attention seeking'. I continue to stay strong on these subject BECAUSE you are uncomfortable with them. It truly blows my mind that a person can be uncomfortable with the conversations about BLM, feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, gun ownership, but they aren't uncomfortable with the actual events going on around these topics.
Many people also believe that social media activism doesn't work, but according to The ALS Association, $115 million was raised by the Ice bucket Challenge. Yes, people claimed those who participated were 'annoying' and 'jumping on trends' but in reality, those people made a huge difference. That is research money, that is patient money, and that is money for ALS fundraising and education. I don't know about you but $115 million seems to be a big success in my book.
Let's also look at all the BLM cases. Talking about those issues, talking about those men and women who lost their lives, that creates awareness. That creates conversation, which then goes into C-H-A-N-G-E. Because those issues were talked about, police now wear body cams, people have stepped in to help situations, and there is justice when needed. Again, I don't know about you but I think that is a success as well. We still have a lot of work to do to help with those issues, but we're getting there.
At the end of the day, stay updated and informed on the issues you're passionate about. Talk about them. Be enraged about them and never give up on them. Just don't forget to fight for these issues on and off the internet. Screw the people that think you're too loud. Screw the people that don't understand why you care. The people you are helping thank you. Everybody needs someone to fight for them and never stop. Never apologize for being that person for someone. Never stop wanting the world to be a better place. Post that status, share that video, speak your mind, and let the world know how much work we still have left to do.
