“Stop, stop,” she said. “I can’t use these names in my article.” I asked why not. “Because Americans have never heard them.” Blessed Unrest, 127
The fact that America does not acknowledge the many people who play a huge role in social movements, is devastating. We have been talking in class about how although big names like Stephen Biko are acknowledged for their large roles in social movements, we do not pay much attention to all of the people that help in the movement. If it weren’t for them, then leaders never would have become leaders, and those movements would not have taken place.
“We memorialize the well- known murders of South African activist Stephen Biko and rubber tapper and environmentalist Chico Mendes, yet people in the movement are killed and intimidated every day.” Blessed Unrest, 145
Maybe the reason why many people do not believe they can make a difference is because of the leaders that are the head of large movements. It may be hard for, let’s say, an everyday, working class woman to relate to a powerful speaker who has a lot of experience with different organizations. We do not always see ourselves in these strong leaders, so at time it may be hard to think of ourselves as being qualified to be a part of organizations or movements. If people like the group of average, college students from a university who helped end apartheid are portrayed more, that could be more inspiring for a lot of people. Not to say that leaders are not inspiring, because they are and are a huge part in any movement, but the average person who is working two jobs and going to school, or a man who works at a grocery store may be more inspiring to some because they see themselves in those people.
Today in class we had Professor Brower come speak to us and she mentioned how she was disappointed that her mother was not portrayed more in the Monument film about her father. She had said that her mother played a large role in influencing her father and was inspiring, yet she was not in the film.
I have always seen leaders as an important part of society, but I never have seen myself doing some of the things they do because I can’t always relate to them. But hearing about groups like the college group that played a role in the end to apartheid was inspiring to me and was something that was relatable that I could see myself doing.
I really appreciated your thoughts, Stephanie! I haven't had many chances to talk to you this year, but I always like what you have to say.
ReplyDeleteYou're right! In every social movement, there have been so many more people involved in helping them to become successful. I think that when people want to be active but don't know how, and don't see themselves as a Stephen Biko or an MLK jr., they find this discouraging, and maybe step back from making a change they otherwise might have made. We have the ability to do more than we give ourselves credit for. I guess this means that if we don't have it in us to be great leaders, then we should just do what we can on an individual level and make a change there, and that will be good enough.
See you in class!
-Laura