The Ugly Activist
Posted August 10, 2005
One of the hardest parts of coming to terms with the fact that I’m transsexual was the gradual realization that I was one of “them”. Slowly, I learned to accept that it was true – in fact, I’d argue that that single process of acceptance was the most important aspect of my entire transition. I’m facing a similar process now with this whole concept of being labeled as an “Activist”.
In my vernacular, the word “Activist” has never been a complimentary term. It conjures up all sorts of images in my mind, and most of them are unpleasant. Until recently, when I thought of an activist I thought of an in-your-face, loud-mouthed, unreasonable, pain in the ass wanna-be who pounded on doors, provided little or no constructive opinion, and who generally did more harm than good.
Somehow, the term “Ugly American” comes to mind. Spawned by the title of a 1958 book, it became a term to embody the feelings many throughout Europe had developed about Americans. This caricature was built on the reality of a loud, uncultured, unsophisticated, crude, arrogant, self-centered, insensitive dolt. Certainly, it wasn’t representative of every American to visit Europe. But it was a common enough trait-set that it came to describe a “typical” American.
The same perception that Europeans developed about Americans is uncannily similar to the perception I had rightly or wrongly developed of Activists. Certainly, the things that I identify here are not applicable to all “Activists” but just as Ugly Americans gave all Americans a bad name as they toured Europe, so too do these Ugly Activists (you know who you are) give Activism in general it’s general bitter taste.
Being an activist is like being transgendered. It’s a self-diagnosed condition. It’s true because you say it is, or perhaps because someone thrusts the label upon you. I recently saw someone in our community doing activist-like things, only to proclaim that they’re not an activist. So be it. I wonder if it’s because they really think the things they’re doing are not considered activism, or it’s because they have a similar distaste for the word “activist” and they wanted to distance themselves from it.
The word “Activist” has found itself squarely in the spotlight lately. How many times have we heard about these so-called “Activist Judges” who Conservatives are blaming for promoting the “gay agenda” by allowing same-sex marriages? Do you think they’re using the word “Activist” because it’s perceived to be a good word? I think not. It implies renegade, out-of-control, on the fringe, out-of-touch, personal agenda.
I remember a saying: “Those who can – Do. Those who can’t – Teach.” I think, in my own mind, I felt similarly about activists. Those who can – Do. Those who can’t or won’t (and who can’t become teachers) – become Activists.
It always seemed that many activists have a single weapon in their tool box – brute force. It didn’t matter what the shape of the hole, they’re hell-bent on forcing a round peg into it or, at the very least, find someone to blame for the fact that the peg just won’t fit. They seem to have missed the classes on strategic planning, coordination, relationship building, and constructive communication when they went to Activism school. Pity.
Somehow, the saying “When all you have is a hammer everything looks like a nail” comes to mind. And, when the hammer doesn’t work they do what seems to come naturally – they intimidate. Anyone who disagrees becomes a target. Anyone with a different viewpoint becomes an enemy – the victim of a smear campaign designed to keep alternative perspectives to a minimum.
One friend, who has an unquestioned record of unparalleled caring and support for the trans community has an HRC bumper-sticker on her car. She recently received a call from someone in the community who, among other things, called her a “traitor”. Whoever made that call is an idiot – there are no kinder words I can use. These destructive intimidation tactics are the weapons Ugly Activists use to keep alternative opinions to a minimum. I can’t wait for someone to make that kind of call to me. I’ve got a lot of pent-up aggression looking for a place to unload.
Those kinds of activists have always reminded me of shopping mall guards. They have a teeny speck of perceived power and they look for every opportunity to exercise it. These self-proclaimed activists seem to feel they’ve created some closed “club” where they get to regulate who gets in and who doesn’t – who is “real” and who isn’t. I’m sorry to tell them – they don’t.
One critic recently wrote to me and called me a “non-activist”. This was somehow supposed to be an insult, I think, as though being identified as an Activist is somehow something positive or something I’m striving to be. In her own misguided way she does have a point, though. I’m not your typical activist.
Is it possible to become politically or socially active without being considered an Activist? Absolutely, although I have always preferred the word “Advocate” to “Activist”. It doesn’t have the unpleasant after-taste.
It’s sad that a relatively small number of self-anointed activists taint the word for so many – it has such noble opportunity. But, it is what it is. I’m not questioning the fact that they’re passionate, or the fact that they think they’re doing the right thing. I’m questioning their tactics. I’m questioning whether they’re actually achieving anything other than to make sure that people know their name no matter what the cost. And, I’m questioning whether anyone really cares what they have to say anymore except other Ugly Activists. Many of us have tuned to another channel – their 15 minutes are up.
You’ll know an Ugly Activist when you see one, or more probably, when you hear one. They’re loud when there’s no apparent reason to be loud. Their bottomless bitterness and suffocating victim mentality will be apparent. They’re bullies at heart, masters at the art of destructive criticism. They rule a List Serv empire with an iron fist, emboldened by the relative safety and anonymity of the internet to say whatever their heads can drum up, and where an ounce of truth based on fact would having a hard time finding refuge.
In the same way that the perception towards Americans in Europe has changed, it’s critical to change this perception of the Ugly Activist. We need new, fresh people who are not intimidated or afraid believing something strongly enough to actually stand up and say it – or better yet, to do it. We need visionaries with constructive ideas, important things to share, and to whom the word “pragmatism” is more than simply a 4-syllable word. We need people who have passion to share, and who want to be involved in something important and historic. We need people who are tired for letting Ugly Activists speak for them, and who feel compelled to add the voice of reason into the mix.
Know this: Activism is to activist is as clay is to sculptor, as car is to driver, as parent is to child. It takes on the form that is given it by the person doing it – not the other way around. It matures and develops through nurturing, care, and passion. And in the end, it is the fundamental tool for change.
The root word of “Activism” is “Active”. That’s all it takes. Whatever you believe, if you believe is strongly and you actually do something about it you’re technically an activist. Activism does not have to be a dirty word. It can again become something positive and relevant. But it won’t do that unless a new breed of activist comes into the mix.
True “Activism” doesn’t have to hurt. It doesn’t have to be ugly. It just has to happen.