With all of the issues that have been going on in society these days, many millennials have dubbed themselves “social justice warriors,” and devote a lot of their time to combating these issues, be it issues of race, violence, sexism or corruption. Many of us may even consider ourselves social justice warriors—but we all have that one friend who just takes the cake.
While many people may see social justice warriors as annoying activists who get into lengthy Facebook arguments and cry at the smallest form of misogyny--you know that this is not true. Their ideal may be left wing and include bits of feminism and progressivism, but is fighting the patriarchy and actually fighting for the rights of the under privileged really so bad? (Hint: It's not).
This friend will never be a bystander. If they say something, they always say something. Whether you’re at a party and your friend sees someone that’s too drunk or a guy pushing a girl, this friend ALWAYS has the courage to speak up. There constantly reminding you of the lesson, if not you, then who? Everybody needs somebody sometimes.
They have opinions and they are not afraid to share them. You may hear someone spewing racist or sexist comments and you gulp hard cause you know the storm is coming---your friend WILL put them in their place and they not afraid to cite sources because believe me, they have done their research and your argument is invalid.
Dinners together become a place for them to talk about the latest issues. Sometimes you may never get a word in edge wise but that’s okay—you like listening to their views on society even if some of the things going on are hard to handle.
They are humanitarians at heart. And it rubs off on you. If you’re friends with the ultimate social justice warrior you’ll tag along to volunteer to better the community—even if it means getting covered in dirt planting seeds.
They make you see just how privileged you are—and at the least make you see that privilege is a thing and it’s not something you have to be ashamed about, but you have to use your privilege to help those less fortunate.
They have a big heart, and they feel deeply for others. Sometimes you sit in silence thinking about what atrocities went on in the world that day. And that deep caring for others has also rubbed off on you. You’re social justice warrior friend wants peace, not war. They do not believe in the idea of an “other.” To them, we are all human beings regardless of race, religions, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
