Activism

Darcy Padilla: The Julie Project

 

Websters defines activism as "taking of direct action to achieve a political or social end"

But what really is activism? and can anyone become an activist? is it a question of what you do or who does it? 

People often associate activists with the most famous ones, myself included. 

Activism almost always links to the civil rights movement, women's rights like the works that both Martin Luther King Jr.,  Nelson Mandela, and Rosa Parks have contributed to. Less is known for those activists who stand up for environmental issues like Ansel Adams and his landscape photography.

As a student who studies journalism and one that has grown to become passionate and curious about the world of activism and its strong role in society, I often think about two conflicting ideas. Can journalists really be objective? Sure, there are plenty of people and acclaimed journalists who would argue otherwise. They would say that our job is to inform the public, an audience, and a targeted audience the story behind both sides. 

I, however find it extremely difficult to neatly differentiate between the two. How do you "objectively" tell the story of two sides of an issue like child pornography, children soldiers, domestic violence, abuse, inhumane animal abuses and the mistreatment of our elderly, objectively? How can anyone unbiasedly present the issues without tainting it one way or another with his or her own personal beliefs and values. intentional or not. 

This seemed to be the ongoing theme of a class in activism through photography that I took. After every lecture, every study, and every attribute in activism that we could possibly analyze and dissect, it always came back to the question of "can you be completely objective in participating in activism projects both independently and collectively"? 

To answer that question, one would have to first determine "is this issue important to me? and if so, wouldn't it only be natural that the participant would be a biased opinion? If it wasn't important, what's the point?

photographer Stephen Shames says, "I've always wanted my photographs to be a voice for the oppressed, a voice for the people who didn't have a voice." 

Uses of photography is an amazing way to contribute to activism. It's certainly difficult in that photographs are always open for interpretation. That's the beauty of art. Photographs are not always accompanied by captions. What one viewer takes will significantly differ from the next viewer. Who's to determine what is right and what is the wrong depiction? 

I suppose that's the wonder of it all isn't it? and the gracefulness that writing can be both poetic, empowering and objects of what the "artist" seeks is true. 

I envy people who have been on the front lines of battle, hunger, deaths, and  with children who face death every minute of their lives. Envy because they bring those stories home and have their artwork to show for it. Those stories touch individuals like myself and leaves a lasting impression in my life. I strive to be able to bring someone else's story to light with my words, passion, compassion and ability to continue to share what I feel is important for the world to know...