Being A Student Activist Shapes You For Just About Everything In Life

Most people do not understand what being an activist entails. Being an activist does not only mean standing in the Sun from 11am to 4pm to demand for equal rights. Nor does it mean tweeting on various issues. Being an activist, simply means to have an opinion which you want to share. In simple words it means putting forth your opinion, and trying to convince people to believe in it.

I am a student activist in school. After writing a research paper on 'Feminism' in school last year, I realised how much I identify with the idea of equality of the genders. From then on, I realised that I wanted to be part of this movement for change.

Becoming a student activist helped me put everything in perspective. I observed small instances, where gender inequality was seen. These instances are so embedded in our culture and mind that identifying them becomes difficult.

Suddenly, becoming a student activist helped me put everything in perspective. I observed small instances, where gender inequality was seen. These instances are so embedded in our culture and mind that identifying them becomes difficult.

I always tried to call out these instances. I tried to tell people what feminism really was. Everyone around me, in school, at classes after school, thought that feminism was only for women. They were not aware of the #metoo movement, nor did they want to engage with the LGBTQ+ community and their issues. Working around trying to change those beliefs and pre-decided mind-sets has taught me a lot about how to interact with people in a way they understand.

I conducted several sessions in school, on why feminism is relevant today. This helped me plan better and I learnt how to execute my plans as well. So, being student activist enables one to grow and learn how to deal with various types of people you will meet.

The experience of being a student activist helps you get ready for life. Having dealt with all sorts of people, understanding mind-sets, I realise that you cannot force someone to support your opinion.

Yes, you can convince them, you can make your stance clear, but if ultimately they don’t agree, we need to realise it's finally their choice. It is not the end of the world. This was a hurdle I faced earlier on, when I first became a student activist.

Being a student activist shapes your thinking, your communication skills and your relations with everyone around you. You make new friends, you meet people who have similar ideologies as you. Your relations with family changes, as you try to bring in equality in your homes.

Being a  student activist shapes your thinking, your communication skills and your relations with everyone around you. You make new friends, you meet people who have similar ideologies as you. Your relations with family changes, as you try to bring in equality in your homes. Communication skills gets sharpened, one becomes more confident of putting forth their views without being afraid of judgment.

Activism changes the way you perceive several things. You suddenly notice that during sports, the captains are boys. You notice how boys get scolded more than girls for not finishing their homework. You notice how people talk to other genders daily in abusive language. So, being a student activist, for whatever you believe in helps you grow, mature and discover yourself!

Read also: Emma Gonzalez: Things To Know About Young Activist

Pic credit: The Daily Utah Chronicle

Kavya Shah is an intern at SheThePeople.Tv