Activism Needs Introverts

As an introvert myself, I fully understand and appreciate how difficult it can be to get involved in traditional activist activities such as marches and protests, but making a difference by having your voice heard on the issues you feel passionate about can be done in a much more subtle and perhaps even more effective manner than giving an inspirational speech to a large crowd via a microphone or megaphone, as some of the more extraverted among us are suited to doing.

Introverts are generally inward looking, thoughtful and compassionate, with a lot to offer the world and the conversation regarding certain aspects of the society we live in, but for some of us at least, our introverted nature can restrict us from achieving the things we want to because traditional forms of activism are not suited to our general personalities. Most of us may be comfortable in one on one situations or in small, quiet groups but less so in larger, noisy crowds or handing out flyers on busy high streets, for example.

So, rather than doing nothing or feeling bad because we seemingly don't have what it takes to fit into a world that makes us uncomfortable at the thought of it, and by so doing, feeling like we can't have an important role to play in making the world a better place from our own perspective, we should perhaps consider using the skills and strengths that we do have to further our cause in a positive and constructive way that inspires by untraditional means.

There are plenty of extroverts out there willing and able to do the face to face work, so what can you do to inform others about the issues that concern you?

Maybe you need to use the skills you have as an introvert to look inside yourself, think outside the box and find your own, unique way of getting the message out there.

In this short video, Sarah Corbett talks a bit about her own experiences within the activism community as an introvert and provides some excellent examples of how activism can take many forms that may not be as loud and in your face as marches or protest, but which can have just as much or perhaps even more of a positive effect in the long run.

Thanks for your time. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.

The Alchemist

(Video from Youtube - Ted Channel)