标签"Because of the Young Activists" 对青年组织的工作可能造成负担
In a time when societal expectations and media representation are deeply intertwined with issues of systemic racism, visibility, and performative allyship, Black young activists in America and Canada are at the forefront of challenging the status quo.
1. **Societal Expectations and Racial Bias**
Black young activists in both countries often face heightened scrutiny due to entrenched systemic racism. The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, co-founded in 2013, emerged in response to systemic violence against Black people, especially police brutality, highlighting that society frequently undervalues Black lives compared to white lives. This creates a challenging environment where Black activists must continuously assert the humanity and rights of their communities against prevailing societal biases.
2. **Media Representation: Visibility and Pressure**
The media plays a dual role for Black young activists. On one hand, movements like BLM gained momentum through social media platforms, allowing decentralized grassroots campaigns led by local Black activists in the U.S. and Canada to organize and amplify their messages. Social media can empower activists by offering a direct channel to share their narratives without traditional media gatekeepers, though this visibility also exposes them to online harassment and the burden of constantly representing their entire community.
3. **Corporate and Public Responses**
Corporate sponsorships and public endorsements, once markers of social legitimacy, have become more complex. While corporations historically provided validation for marginalized groups—such as LGBTQ2S+ in Canada—there is a noted worrying trend of retreat from such sponsorships, which can contribute to the erasure of marginalized voices and a reduction in institutional support for these activists. This dynamic pressures Black young activists to navigate environments where performative allyship is prevalent, and tangible support is often lacking.
4. **Intersection with Technology and Digital Divide**
Internet activism presents both opportunities and challenges for Black young activists. While digital tools enable widespread mobilization, groups with less access or technological skills—often overlapping with racial and socioeconomic lines—may experience limited engagement. Moreover, online activism can suffer from polarization and echo chambers, which may hinder broad-based coalition-building necessary for large-scale social change but also allows activists to connect globally with supportive networks.
5. **Youth Engagement and Education**
In Canada, campaigns like "It’s Not Just" aim to educate youth about violence and social issues, including gender-based violence, empowering young people to challenge harmful societal attitudes. Such programs indirectly support Black young activists by fostering critical awareness and promoting allyship among their peers.
Notable figures in this movement include Sade Green, a writer, activist, and poet focusing on racial representation and decision-making power for people of color in politics. Green emphasizes that the stories of young Black activists matter, and that young Black activists are often overlooked, labeled as 'thugs' and 'terrorists,' put on FBI watch lists, and murdered. Green's activism involves addressing the discrimination faced by young Black activists.
Another young activist, Fatimata Cham, at 19 years old, has a history of advocating for education equality in the South Bronx. Cham believes that her activism should not be the sole source of her happiness or self-expression, and that childhood experiences, particularly in BIPOC communities, should be more frequently discussed in the context of organizing and activism. Cham notes that many Gen Z individuals have learned to advocate for themselves due to experiencing large problems as children.
Rayne Fisher-Quann, in her teens, led one of the largest protests in Canadian history and was often referred to as a prominent organizer. Fisher-Quann finds it troubling to consider what happens when one ages out of the "youth" label and the associated accolades. Society has a fascination with prodigies, according to Fisher-Quann, and the "youth" label can sometimes make for a more compelling story, even if it doesn't directly influence the work being done.
Enhanced education, authentic allyship, and equitable access to digital platforms are critical to supporting the activism of Black young activists moving forward. The commodification of youth, its impact on social justice work, and the identities of young people striving for change are ongoing concerns that require thoughtful consideration.
- Black young activists in their personal growth journey grapple with digital platforms being both spaces for self-expression and targets of online harassment, as societal expectations and systemic racism intersect with the digital divide.
- In the realm of education and self-development, Black activists like Sade Green are advocating for increased representation of Black narratives in politics, challenging perceptions that label young Black activists as 'thugs' and 'terrorists'.
- The entertainment industry and general news media can aid in breaking down systemic racism by providing more nuanced and balanced coverage of social movements, fostering a more informed public opinion and support for these activists' efforts. Simultaneously, it is crucial for Black youth to engage in education programs that empower them and promote allyship among their peers.
