Intentional Conversations About Organizing for Change
Let's talk about making positive changes in our communities! There are so many amazing ways we can come together and create the change we want to see. Remember - every action counts, no matter how small. While this journey takes dedication and energy, I'm excited to share some ways you can get involved, either solo or with your community!
Before we start the conversation, I want to emphasize something super important: don't just jump into advocacy without doing your research first! It's crucial to understand that there are many different ways to support your community and create change. As someone who believes in the power of community solidarity over individualism, I want to share some kawaii ways you can get involved and foster connection with those around you!
Start by forming a local group where you can share ideas and support others! Fun fact: this is exactly how Kawaii Riot began - as a community collective using our shared talents to create resources, advocate, and educate for a more inclusive space! Consider organizing mutual aid and fundraisers (but do your homework first on proper accounting practices - it's super important to handle community funds responsibly!).
Join some radical book clubs! It's a wonderful way to learn together, share resources, and build community while educating ourselves. Whether online or in-person, reading and discussing with others can be truly transformative! Express yourself through radical art! Use your creativity to share your story, experiences, and passions while bringing visibility to important issues. Art has such amazing power to inspire change!
Create radical zines! As someone in publishing, I absolutely love seeing more people getting into zine-making. Check out resources from pink energy productions, like jaded alternative to fashion magazine, and keep an eye out for the upcoming unlaced beyond 28 days!
If you have the energy, volunteer in your community! Help with community gardens or community fridges to support those needing fresh food and produce. Work together on projects providing free sanitary items, clothing, and hygiene necessities. These essential items make such a difference!
Take time to connect with your neighbors and community, whether IRL or online. Building these relationships helps us better understand and support each other! Finally, remember that art and storytelling are powerful tools for community wellness! By sharing our experiences and amplifying each other's voices, we create visibility for important issues while building stronger, more connected communities!
Organizing for change in your community can be a powerful way to create a supportive and inclusive environment. Here's a list of actionable steps you can take to mobilize and engage your local community this year:
Form a Local Group:
Establish a community collective to share ideas, skills, and knowledge. This group can focus on creating resources, advocating for change, and educating on inclusivity.
Initiate Mutual Aid and Fundraisers:
Start mutual aid programs and fundraising initiatives. Ensure you conduct thorough research or consult with someone knowledgeable in accounting and legal regulations to manage funds responsibly.
Join Radical Book Clubs:
Participate in or start radical reading groups that focus on inclusive and educational literature. Organize read-alongs or support local book clubs that encourage discussions on community, advocacy, and inclusivity!
Create Radical Art:
Use art as a medium to express your beliefs, experiences, and stories. Art can increase visibility for critical issues and inspire others to engage with your cause. Art through photography, fashion, poetry, and traditional media
Publish Radical Zines:
Encourage the production of zines, especially within niches like alternative fashion. Look into resources from initiatives like Pink Energy Productions and consider contributing to or starting publications like the Jaded Alternative Fashion Magazine or Unlaced Beyond 28 Days.
Volunteer in Your Community:
Engage in community volunteering opportunities such as gardening projects or maintaining community fridges to help provide fresh produce and food to those in need.
Support Sanitary and Clothing Drives:
Organize or participate in drives to collect and distribute free sanitary products, clothing, and hygiene essentials to support community members facing economic hardships.
Connect with Neighbors:
Make an effort to know and connect with your neighbors in person and online. Building strong local ties can enhance community support and cooperation.
Leverage Community Art and Storytelling:
Facilitate events where community members can share their stories and artistic expressions. This helps to raise awareness about diverse experiences and promotes a more inclusive community narrative.
Educate and Advocate:
Continuously seek to educate yourself and others on issues affecting your community. Use your group or platform to advocate for changes that will benefit the community at large.
Regular Community Meetings:
Hold regular meetings to discuss community issues, plan upcoming events, and check in on ongoing projects. These meetings can keep everyone aligned and motivated.
Leverage your personal skills and/or time to help causes:
There is so much you can do, transcription, graphic design, organizing, data entry, peer support, grant support, tutoring, and more. Your time and knowledge can really encourage change!
What if I’m not ready to lead the charge?
Not everyone is ready to take charge of a collective organizing for change, and that's understandable. However, you don't have to be the person who's leading your revolution or standing in front of the protest. One of the beautiful things about coming together as a community is that with different people having different skills, you can really put together something amazing. Where you might have trouble with one thing, another person might excel at it, and when you work together, you are able to accomplish way more.
A lot of the time, the burden of leadership is not for everyone, and not everyone is willing to put in the amount of work that is required to lead change or advocate. However, if you are someone who wants to encourage community building, just start small—start with a small group of people, whether that be your friends or your local community, to work on fighting against the dissolution of community solidarity.
A lot of the time, it can be really difficult to put together things that are supporting a movement or cause. However, when you have the support of another friend or community member reminding you of what you are fighting for, it can really be a big step. I don't want to discourage you from taking any actions when it comes to advocating, especially if you feel that you aren't able to provide more physical resources or even financial resources, but I do want to remind you that every step towards change begins when you take it, and there is always something that can be done when it comes to organizing for change.
More Books & Resources on Organizing for Change:
Let This Radicalize you by Kelly Hayes & Mariame Kaba
Democracy in Retrograde by Sami Sage & Emily Amick
No Shortcuts Organizing for Power in the New Gilded Age, Jane F. McAlevey
Reimagining the Revolution by Paula Lehman-Ewing
