A fellow young person helping empower you to change your community for the better
ASHLEY 🌳 USA
Hi, I’m Ashley!
I’m here to help young people like you lead movements in your community to create change.
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I was born and raised in Houston, Texas and now live in Oakland, California. I’ve lived in two interesting places: the oil and gas hub of the country and also the Bay Area, one of the most “innovative” and diverse places in the world. Understanding how our relationship with our environment (and, with each other) is different for people across the country and the world has shaped how I organize across diverse groups of people.
My parents immigrated to the U.S. from China when they were just my age. Being a child of immigrants shaped my childhood and worldview - one of the guiding lights of my life is to center diversity and equity in our world. What brings us together are our differences!
In college, I had the opportunity to take a class in Southeast Alaska, where my eyes were opened to how environmental issues are so intertwined with issues of economics, colonization, law, and systems of exploitation. I’ve learned over the years that real equitable, sustainable change comes from people along with technology and development. If we want our world to be healthier, safer, and better, the power of people – and young people in particular – is so important.
As a young person, I never felt as if my voice mattered. But the reality is that young people are the future - and within us we have so much creativity, energy and power. That’s why, in this course I’m so excited to share with you all how you as a young person can create change in your community.
Writer
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Storyteller
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Journalist
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Environmental justice activist
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Daughter of Chinese immigrants
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Chef and foodie
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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighter
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Writer 🌳 Storyteller 🌳 Journalist 🌳 Environmental justice activist 🌳 Daughter of Chinese immigrants 🌳 Chef and foodie 🌳 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighter 🌳
1 OF 7
HOW DO I TALK TO PEOPLE SO PEOPLE LISTEN?
This is ultimately the biggest goal and challenge in activism. There are many issues in the world, and many can seem distant and irrelevant. Here are some tips to incorporate your activism into everyday conversation (without boring or annoying people)
This video shares more about kids who took to the legal system to fight for climate justice, when people in power were listening to young people but not taking action.
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A foundation started by two young women in South Africa tackles poverty and hunger by bringing food to their communities.
These Bay Area-based youth climate activists use their voices in many ways to speak out - by talking to elected officials, taking to the streets, making art, etc.
Go to: Actions • Activism • Power • Movements • Passions and Strengths • Recruitment • Inspiration
2 OF 7
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN “ACTIVIST”?
Activism can look like so many things - taking care of ourselves, creating art, having conversations with people. It is simply using your strengths to create change in your community.
Seeing activism work as “streams”, ever flowing, fluid entities can open up the possibilities of what it means to be an activist. As an activity - think about and map out what streams of sustainable activism look like for you.
Go to: Actions • Activism • Power • Movements • Passions and Strengths • Recruitment • Inspiration
3 OF 7
WHAT IS POWER? WHAT MAKES CERTAIN PEOPLE MORE POWERFUL THAN OTHERS?
Individually, it can often feel very daunting to think about those who have a lot of power, but power comes in many forms, including the power of people.
This video teaches us where power comes from, how it’s exercised, and what you can do in your own work.
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One way to understand who has power over issues you care about is through the “power mapping” visual exercise.
Go to: Actions • Activism • Power • Movements • Passions and Strengths • Recruitment • Inspiration
4 OF 7
HOW ARE DIFFERENT MOVEMENTS CONNECTED TO ONE ANOTHER, AND WHAT CAN I LEARN FROM OTHER MOVEMENTS?
I encourage you to think of all the causes that you care about or may impact you, and whether there are any overlaps in the people, impacted group, location, etc.
This video breaks down the idea of intersectionality, or where movements, identities, and ideas can come together to make each other stronger.
This youth-created social media account elevates the people of color in the climate justice movement.
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“If you see inequality as a “them” problem or “unfortunate other” problem, that is a problem.”
Intersectional feminism: what it means and why it matters right now
Go to: Actions • Activism • Power • Movements • Passions and Strengths • Recruitment • Inspiration
5 OF 7
HOW CAN I USE MY PASSIONS AND STRENGTHS TO CREATE CHANGE?
You have so many unique skills, passions, and interests, and I want you to think about how you can integrate your unique perspective into the movement for change.
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Art is a powerful way to communicate messages and create change. Brainstorm types of art that you enjoy creating that could be used for your activism.
In the fight for change, we often play different roles. Check out this map to see what roles you identify with, and remember that these can shift and change over time!
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Social media can be a powerful tool for change, but can also spread misinformation. These young people in Zimbabwe are tackling this challenge by spreading awareness to the fake information and educating their communities.
Learn how to use Social Media to combat COVID-19 'Infodemic'
Check out this resource to learn more about different types of changemakers and what they all have in common.
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Of the six types of changemakers listed on page 5, which one(s) do you resonate with?
Go to: Actions • Activism • Power • Movements • Passions and Strengths • Recruitment • Inspiration
6 OF 7
HOW CAN I RECRUIT HELP TO CREATE CHANGE FROM FRIENDS AND OTHER CHANGE-MAKERS?
A huge part of activism is mobilizing your friends, family, and community to join the cause that you are working on.
“Accepting responsibility for enabling others to achieve shared purpose under conditions of uncertainty.”
Marshall Ganz’s definition of leadership
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I encourage you to think about what leadership and bringing people together looks like for you. What does it mean to be a leader? Does this definition resonate?
Relationships are crucial to building a community of supporters - reflect on what anger you feel, what hope you want to instill in others, and what action you can take together.
Go to: Actions • Activism • Power • Movements • Passions and Strengths • Recruitment • Inspiration
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HOW DO I INSPIRE THOSE WHO DON’T CARE?
One of our biggest strengths as changemakers is our community and network of people who are fighting for the same thing. How can we inspire them to get involved?
Tahsin inspires others by mobilizing other young people to bike to communities to educate people on the impacts of climate change and through journalism.
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Reflect on what brought you to this page, and why you are learning about activism and change-making. Were there any specific turning points? Or what, in general, has brought you here?
After that - think about how others who were once in your position could become more engaged and inspired.
“It is the role of the artist to make the revolution irresistible.”
Toni Cade Bambara
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What does it mean for the revolution to be irresistible? And how do artists - writers, creators, painters, etc. - have a role in inspiring others to want the revolution, to want change?
Go to: Actions • Activism • Power • Movements • Passions and Strengths • Recruitment • Inspiration
👋 LAST WORDS 👋
Connect with me! LinkedIn | ashleeey.song@gmail.com
