It usually starts around age 14/15. You begin to realize that there is a world outside of you, and that you are part of a greater whole. You start to see that social policy is in place that affects YOU, and yet you don't really know what YOU can do about it. At that point you have two options; go on with your life and accept that there is a certain way that things are, or CHANGE THE WORLD AROUND YOU.
Fortunately for those that choose to make a difference, there are MANY ways that you can make a change. The important part is to know WHAT you want to change, and HOW you can go about doing it. This starts with AWARENESS.
Being aware of what's going on around you can start right at your school or home. Take some time to explore the world around you. Read the paper (reading the "A" section of the daily paper gives you a great start).
The daily paper is good for a few of reasons. The first is that you are getting current and relevant information. Another is that you are READING and utilizing your brain to analyze info. Another is that you are avoiding the television. The TV news is interested in ONE thing, sensational news "bites". They will spend 30-45 seconds covering the most explosive events of the day, usually those with the best footage. The newspaper also does this with its Headlines and cover stories. But opening up the paper and looking at pages 2-15 will shed some light on topics that the TV media won't even touch on. One thing to remember is that newspapers have their own agenda. So read the papers for a while before you believe everything printed in them. As an example, the New York Times is a fairly liberal paper, and had leaning towards supporting the Democratic National Party's agenda. The Washington Post, on the other hand, is more conservative and leans towards the Republican Party. Newspapers are also responsible to their advertisers, so if you see a full page ad for Nike every day, you probably won't see a front page article about child labor in their factories.
Another method of getting information about the world is underground media. These are media outlets under the radar of mainstream news sources. These are college newspapers, alternative weeklies, 'zines (ie. cometbus, punk planet, etc), and the internet. These smaller publications can often be the sources you need to bring issues affecting you to your attention. As an example, many people do not realize that there is a large movement opposing the possible War on Iraq. I didn't until I read an article on Indymedia.org describing a 10,000 person march in Washington D.C. that opposition to War has been mobilized. These marches are NOT reported in the mainstream media. In Seattle 5,000 people marched and took over the streets downtown for two hours, and NOTHING made even the local news. Only by actively searching for information can we find the issues that affect us.
OK, so you see something that sucks, and you want to change it. You and your friends decide to do something about it. What can you do? Your just a kid right? WRONG. Here are some steps you can take:
A) Research the issue. Nothing gives your argument more strength than DATA. Ask those journalistic questions, What, Why, Where, How? Gather info. Contact those involved for information. If it is an issue related to your school, a business or government contact a Public Relations Representative. Look for articles relating to the topics. Research the background of the issue, sometimes you have to really dig on this one. When you feel that you have as much of the story that you can get, get the word out.
B) Getting the word out. Set out to inform as many people as possible. One great way to do this is through "flyering". Quarter, half or even whole sheets of paper, filled with information, passed out ALL those around you. There are several ways you can make flyers. Make sure that it is easy to read, and gets your point across. Having a friend proofread helps a lot. This is also where you can let people know how to get involved. Then head on down to your library or local copy shop and get to work. This aspect of social action is where you may have to start spending some cash out of your pocket. Asking your friends if they would be willing to chip in a few bucks for copies sometimes works, especially if they are involved with this project with you. Also be on the lookout for ways to get copies for free, or nearly free. A personal example of mine: I used to work as a janitor, which meant late nights in office buildings unsupervised. I would buy packages of paper from an office supply store and bring them to work. I would then use their copy machines (sometimes 4 at a time!) to copy onto MY paper. That way 10,000 sheets of paper wouldn't mysteriously disappear overnight.
C) Mobilize! This means getting those you gave the info out to involved. One place to start is letter writing. It is amazing the weight that a written letter is given. Sometimes you can give people a form letter, pre-addressed and ready to be mailed. Another good way to get people involved are phone calls. Give out phone numbers where people can call to make complaints or comments. Organize a "day to call", so that you flood the switchboard of whomever it is you are calling. A more drastic step is to physically mobilize. This means marching, gathering together, holding a rally, or a walkout. This is where you can start to make the mainstream media work for you. If planning a mass mobilization call your local news and let them know the time and place. Let them know your expected numbers. Remember, for a local broadcast, 1,000 kids walking out of school to protest war is EXACTLY what they are looking for. Sensationalism. Now you are using THEM to get your word out.
D) Don't give up! Most of the time you won't succeed, especially your first time out. You cannot expect that having 100 friends calling Shell Oil and demanding that they not drill in Alaska to put a stop to it. But it IS a start. And the next time, it could be 1,000. Then 10,000, then 100,000. And on and on. And each time your numbers grow, you become more and more difficult to ignore. And when you become impossible to ignore, THAT is when you change the world around you.
