Activism
Welcome to the Activism Section.  Here you will find links to some of today's hottest activist sites, as well as information about some of the issues important to Jeffrey, inspirational words, and how to get involved.



Dubya be Thy Name
by Georgia K Griffin

Our father,
who stole the White House,
Dubya be they name;
thy cronies come,
thy will be done, on earth as it cries in vain.
Give us this day, our daily bombs;
and direct our trespasses as we preempt those
who may not be like us;
and lead us not into redemption,
but deliver us some oil.
In the name of the power,
the arms,
and the corporation;
now & forever,
ALL MINE.

©2004 gkg / georgia k griffin
www.gkg-arts.com
Four more years?!
What Now?
The fight for justice and a better world goes on.  See the sights below for inspiration, information advice and to get involved.

General Activist Resources:

Activism is Patriotism
A well funded and well researched site with excellent information about socially responsible investment, established activst groups, alternative media sources, and candidate research resources.

Act for Change
Timely, up to date site with news on pertinent issues.  Includes online petitions and ways to get immediately involved.  Created by Working Assets.

Speakout.com
A political portal designed to give you the information and activism tools needed to 'SpeakOut' on political and social issues, elections, political parties...

Protest.Net
Excellent information on activism across the globe.   Includes one of the best resources available for people planning direct action... "the Activists Handbook"

Video Activist Network
A great site on using Video for activism and documenting injustice, with some particualrly good advice on preparing for Civil Disobedience and possible encounters with the police.

Activism.Net
If not you, who?
If not now, when?

Political Activism Resources
An independent, non-partisan, FREE web site on political activism - since 1996

Activism Watch
So you are opposed to the US wars around the world, and you are  opposed to capitalism, sexism, racism, and homophobia. What  do you do now? Listed on this page are links to several different  groups, highlighted events to attend, and articles about activism.

The Email Activist
We seek out useful news and  information that goes unreported or under-reported in the mainstream media.  Then we  summarize it in layman's terms and email it to our subscribers.



Movers and Shakers:  

Sites of some of todays most influential and interesting activists:

Julia "Butterfly" Hill
Michael Moore
Noam Chomsky
Howard Zinn



Interesting Initiatives
Sites of groups who are making a difference:

Global Exchange
Global Exchange is an international human rights organization dedicated to promoting environmental, political and social justice. Since our founding in 1988, we have increased the US public's global awareness while building partnerships worldwide

Downhill Battle
A non-profit organization working to end the major label monopoly and build a better, fairer music industry

Medical Reform.Net
This site explains why many health-care activism efforts are at an impasse.  We propose a plan that  will effect dramatic change in health-care without additional expense.

FAIR
FAIR, the national media watch group, has been offering well-documented criticism of media bias and censorship since 1986. We work to invigorate the First Amendment by advocating for greater diversity in the press and by scrutinizing media practices that marginalize public interest, minority and dissenting viewpoints.

Peace Corps
More than 170,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have been invited by 137 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education, information technology, and environmental preservation.

American Friends Service Committee
The American Friends Service Committee carries out service, development, social justice, and peace programs throughout the world.

National Organization for Women
NOW works to eliminate discrimination and harassment in the workplace, schools, the justice system, and all other sectors of society; secure abortion, birth control and reproductive rights for all women; end all forms of violence against women; eradicate racism, sexism and homophobia; and promote equality and justice in our society.

Men's Activism News Network
Welcome! This is the Men's Activism News Network, a web site which tracks news and information about men's issues from around the world.

The Truth About George
Learn how George W. Bush is tearing down the progress women and other disenfranchised groups have made over the last 35 years, ensuring that rich white males and giant corporations will rule the U.S. for generations to come.

No More Deaths
We are a diverse coalition of individuals, faith communities, human rights advocates, and grassroots organizers who have joined together to work for justice along the U.S.- Mexico border.

American Civil Liberties Union
The ACLU is our nation's guardian of liberty. We work daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

Amnesty International
Amnesty International (AI) is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation (the Task Force) was the first national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights and advocacy organization and remains the movement's leading voice for freedom, justice, and equality.

Immigration Equality
A coalition of immigrants, attorneys and other activists who address the widespread impact of discriminatory immigration laws on the lives of those in the gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender community and immigrants who are living with HIV/AIDS.



Election Resources

Electionline.org
League of Women Voters
Blog For America
Congress.org
Vote Smart .org
Rock The Vote




San Diego Activism

Activist San Diego
THE place to find out about San Diego activism.

San Diego Independent Media Center
A grassroots organization committed to using media production and distribution as a tool for promoting social and economic justice in San Diego County.

World Beat Center
Community center dedicated to promoting, presenting and preserving the Indigenous Cultures of the world through music, art, education, culture and technology.
Quotes

"First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win."
- Mohandas Gandhi

"You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom."
-Malcolm X

"If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal."
-Emma Goldman

"Even a little dog can piss on a big building.
-Jim Hightower"

"Any dictator would admire the uniformity and obedience of the U.S. media."
-Noam Chomsky

"All I was doing was trying to get home from work."
-Rosa Parks

"In order to rally people, governments need enemies. They want us to be afraid, to hate, so we will rally behind them. And if they do not have a real enemy, they will invent one in order to mobilize us."
-Thich Nhat Hanh

"Capital punishment turns the state into a murderer. But imprisonment turns the state into a gay dungeon-master."
-Jesse Jackson

"Religion without humanity is very poor human stuff."
-Sojourner Truth

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall -- think of it, ALWAYS."
- Mohandas Gandhi

"When we can't dream any longer we die."
-Emma Goldman

"Idealists are foolish enough to throw caution to the winds. They have advanced mankind and have enriched the world."
-Emma Goldman


"Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love."
- Mohandas Gandhi

"Kindness is the language the deaf can hear and the blind can see."
-Mark Twain

"Fall seven times, stand up eight"
-Japanese Proverb

"The first step is to find out what you love--and don't be practical about it.  The second step is to start doing what you love immediately, in any small way possible.
-Barbara Sher

"We become what we do."
-Chiang Kai-Shek

"Anybody can do just about anything with himself that he really wants to and makes up his mind to do.  we are capable of greater things than we realize."
-Norman Vincent Peale

"The person who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones."
-Chinese Proverb

"Problems are messages."
-Shakti Gawain

"He has acheived success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much."
-Elbert Hubbard




Little Acts of Activism
by Jeffrey Beringer

 
    The word "activism" can be an intimidating word.   It  can make people feel as though "activism" is some activity that is somehow separate from their everyday  life and activities, some additional chore that they simply don't have time or space for.
     I see activism more as a guiding force, a life philosophy that colors every moment of every day.   Instead of being separate from or in addition to your regular routine, it is like a spice that gives your actions flavor and meaning.  
     While you may not have time to go to political rallies or quit your job to join picket lines, you can still find a way to make a positive difference in the world in your day to day exchanges.
     Use revolutionary language that challenges societal assumptions.   Instead of saying "Do you have a boyfriend?" say "Do you have a partner?"   Replace the general "he" with the word "she."  For example, if someone says "I am looking for a new dentist"  reply "Does it matter if she accepts medicare?"
     By revolutionizing your language, you make people challenge their internal assumptions and believe more things are possible.
    
Ask people questions and express interest in their lives.  Ask people to share opinions and share yours as well.  By doing so you help to build community and to provide people an opportunity to express and examine their ideas.
     When you see small injustices, point them out.   If the cashier is jipping the old lady in front of you, intervene.   If  you have been waiting for a long time in line, and a new line opens up in the aisle next to you, let the person who has been waiting longer than you go first.  This creates a general sense of justice and caring, and keeps you in practice for those bigger situations when they arrive.
     Take pride in what you do.   Remember that every moment is an opportunity to inspire others and make the world better.   Set a good example.   Smile.