Let's talk about action

Submitted by Hilary on Mon, 08/25/2008 - 12:36pm.

So recently I've been thinking about action: what can I, individually, do to make a difference in my community?
I feel like this is something that I used to have down. Pre-baby I spent pretty much all my time at rallies and meetings and events aimed at promoting social justice. After becoming a mother, it became more difficult for me simply because I no longer had quite so much time to devote to activism. I feel like I found ways to make meaningful contributions, but they became more academic and less hands-on, so to speak (i.e. instead of going to a meeting and planning a community event, I would write a letter about an issue). Now I'm in a new community. I have a fresh start. I want to get involved again. I think a lot of the ways that I've been politically active in the past are good, but I'm not sure they're what I'm looking for right now.
What do you do? How do you think what you do helps you, your community, the world at large, etc? Is there a way that motherhood shapes your activism, or that activism shapes your motherhood? What can we contribute to the activist community as mothers, as women, and as individuals? What sort of contributions, for you, are the most valuable?
(p.s. isn't my post title amusing?)

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I've been thinking about
Submitted by adcaela on Mon, 08/25/2008 - 2:30pm.

I've been thinking about this too. I was very active in Austin, but now that i've moved I don't know where to go or what the issues are in my new area. I hope to find an activist niche and start some stuff of my own.

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This is probably not all
Submitted by acrane86 on Mon, 08/25/2008 - 4:27pm.

This is probably not all that helpful, but I learn about issues of need through my job. I work in the mental health feild, and I am constantly seeing all the crap that goes on. Thats where I learn about where I need to be active. Also, my own status as a "mentally ill" individual drives my need to pursue such things.

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I work with disabled people
Submitted by MamaButterfly on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 10:00pm.

I work with disabled people in my job, and I make sure that when I am with them, I am giving them the best time I can.
I buy organic.
I support local businesses.
I try not to waste as much as possible.
I avoid conventional animal products and fast food like the plague.
I teach my children the importance of compassion, acceptance, nature, etc.
I keep myself informed.
I try to educate others.
I focus on alternatives to the wasteful culture I've been raised in.
I make a point to be kind to everyone.

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Mama Activists
Submitted by Takomamama on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 2:09pm.

My friend China, a mama activist/zinester from Baltimore, has done some work with another mama activist/artist on how activist communities can be more mama friendly. When my kiddo was young and I was in college, I really wanted to do more activism, but found myself spending lots of time and effort to arrange for babysitters- and I preferred to spend time with my kiddo. If parents and activist groups can work together to make things more family/kid friendly, then Mamas won't be so alienated and the groups will benefit from more participation from some brilliant, energetic and committed activist mamas.
Check this out: http://www.mamaphonic.com/node/1226
The link is kinda old, but China and Vikki are still doing things about this topic.

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Takomamama wrote:My friend
Submitted by Hilary on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 2:33pm.

Takomamama wrote:
My friend China, a mama activist/zinester from Baltimore, has done some work with another mama activist/artist on how activist communities can be more mama friendly. When my kiddo was young and I was in college, I really wanted to do more activism, but found myself spending lots of time and effort to arrange for babysitters- and I preferred to spend time with my kiddo. If parents and activist groups can work together to make things more family/kid friendly, then Mamas won't be so alienated and the groups will benefit from more participation from some brilliant, energetic and committed activist mamas.
Check this out: http://www.mamaphonic.com/node/1226
The link is kinda old, but China and Vikki are still doing things about this topic.

Awesome! Thanks for the link. These are just the sort of frustrations I was thinking about when I wrote this post. I'm excited about looking at the info about her workshop.

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I was volunteering at a
Submitted by Wonderwall on Wed, 09/17/2008 - 12:51pm.

I was volunteering at a local Women's Centre, which was great, but it lost it's funding and had to close. That was pretty disappointing. Now I know a Canadian election is coming up and I'm in a "riding to watch" so I should try to do some NDP campaigning, but I feel so awkward when talking to strangers.

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