Feminista Jones, from New York City, is a notable activist in mental health, social work, feminist writing, and the movement for black equality. She has written for multiple prestigious publications, including TIME.com and Washington Post. Selected in 2013 as a United Nations Foundation ‘Fellow’, she has a wide social media reach and has launched several campaigns (such as #YouOKSis, a movement against street harassment) that have made a considerable impact. A powerful and important figure for young people of all diversities, I think we could all benefit from hearing what she has to say. I, Sam Volante, teamed up with Feminista to talk about activism, specifically activism as a young person.
Q. Hello, Feminista. Let’s start at the beginning. What inspired you to become an activist? Was there one particular moment or event or did it build up over the course of your life?
A. This is always an interesting question for me because I’m perpetually considering what it means to be an “Activist” and why we use that term. I guess, for me, it isn’t as finite an identity as some might think. I became “active” in liberation work while I was in high school and more so in undergrad; I focused a lot on Affirmative Action matters, scholastic diversity and representation issues, the so-called gentrification of low-income neighborhoods, and homelessness to name a few. By “active”, I mean fully engaged in the process of community organizing, planning protests and demonstrations, writing politically-motivated op-eds, public speaking, and more. As for inspiration, my mother inspired me as she was a LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS activist in the 1980s and 1990s. She introduced me to the idea of working towards liberating oppressed people and I took my cues from her.
Q. At what age did you become an activist? Did you think it was the right age, or do you wish you would have started earlier or later?
A. I think high school was a good time because I attended a predominantly White boarding school, so the culture shock spurred me into action.
Q. Do you take the voices of teenage/young adult activists seriously? Do you focus on uplifting their voices at all, considering they have had a different experience of growing up to you, having grown up in a different time? If so, how do you help young people to get their voices heard?
A. Of course! Every major movement has been led by youth, as far as I can tell. I appreciate their curiosity and energy. I seek to amplify as many voices of people working towards liberation and self-awareness/self-love as possible. For example, I became an ambassador of TIA Girls because I support the voices of teen girls. I believe in being a role model, flaws and all, particularly given my life circumstances growing up and the things I’ve overcome to be where I am. I want young people to know the world is theirs to make it into the world in which they want to live.
Q. If someone wants to become a part of activism but they are under 18, there are a lot of things they cannot do. What things can under-18s do that you would recommend? How did you make a difference as a teenager?
A. I think there is a lot more that minors can do now than say when I was a teen. They have the advantage of the internet and social media, which helps them share their work and have their voices heard. I didn’t have my first email address until I was 18 and email is one of the most powerful tools for community organizing. Back then, we had to type up flyers, print them out, and hand them out or post them up. We had to ask print publications to run our stories and wait for permission to get that kind of access. Today, teens can create their own publication with a few clicks of a mouse. I recommend using social media platforms to create narratives and begin nation-building as needed. There is power in telling one’s story, which is something I think young people are really great at.
Q. Do you feel like, in terms of activism, adults speak over young people a lot? Young people today have had a different experience to adults much of the time, but some adults have been known to disregard their voices and have all the say on issues regarding those young people. If so, how do you address this?
A. Adults absolutely have the tendency to speak over young people because there is a general societal disregard for youth voices. Children are to be seen and not heard as some believe. I don’t buy into that and, as a mother, I encourage my son to speak his mind. I teach him how to be respectful of others’ boundaries and show respect for those who have more lived experiences than he has, but at the same time, I remind him that he is his own valuable person, which I think is a key thing adults can do to support young people. We cannot dismiss their experiences and we much value them as human beings, not inanimate, unfeeling possessions.
Q. Have you ever personally worked, as an activist, with young people, as a person well into adulthood? If so, in what case did this occur?
A. Yes. I have visited several middle and high schools and spoken with young people who seek guidance on what to do with their lives. I’ve mentored young activists who were trying to start direct actions in their schools. I’ve connected with youth fighting racism in their high schools and I occasionally get on calls with them, giving them organizing tips and guidance to get a movement started. It’s one of the things I enjoy most, and I’m honored that young people reach out to me for that kind of help.
Q. How can activists benefit from teaming up with people of different age groups?
A. Age diversity is crucial. One of the biggest issues we have is the lack of young people in government. We underestimate the decision-making skills of teens and we exclude them from processes that will result in policies that directly affect their lives. That doesn’t seem right, does it? I also think young people can learn a lot from working with elders—those who have been there, done that, and might feel a bit jaded. Those elders can also feel re-energized by connecting with young people, so they should remain open to cross-generational opportunities to build.
Q. Do you feel like you could learn something from younger activists (whether it be how others experience discrimination, how to approach activism or anything else)?
A. Of course. I’m not always hip to some of the unique issues young people face today, so I’m always open.
Q. What do you think your greatest achievements as an activist have been?
A. Community-building has been the biggest reward. I’ve been able to inspire people who have previously done little to no organizing work in their own lives. My leadership has allowed people to feel like they matter and they can be leaders as well. I just think that by inspiring the next generation of leaders, we can continue the work towards liberation for all.
Q. What are you currently working on as an activist?
A. Currently, I’m working with a group of parents who want to build a national network to effect change for people living in poverty. The organization is called Witnesses to Hunger, and they use their personal stories and testimonies to speak the truth about life in poverty. I enjoy the work because I’m able to take my organizing skills and empower them to make change in their communities. I can train and guide them in best practices for community organizing and inspire them to be the leaders they want to be.
Q. What would you like to accomplish in the foreseeable future as an activist?
A. I want to not have to do any of this anymore. I want there to be no reason for activists to have to work. I’m not sure I can see it happening in my lifetime, but it’s what I keep working towards.
Q. What would you like to accomplish by the end of your life as an activist?
A. I’d like to know that I’ve inspired the next generation of leaders and I want to see them working on concrete sustainable projects.
Q. Do you have any advice for people who want to become an activist but don’t know where to start?
A. Seek out mentorship by people who are already involved in activism in their area in which they are most passionate. If you’re interested in improving the environment, try to connect with groups and people who are active in environmental work. Research various organizations doing the work you’re interested in and see if they need volunteers or interns, then try to get involved that way. Apprentice under a strong leader and learn from their good (and bad) traits.
Q. Do you have any specific advice or messages for young activists?
A. We need you, so now is the time to get involved and become active. You’re not too young and now is the time to harness your energy for good.
Thank you, Feminista. The contributors and readers of Affinity Magazine appreciate and take inspiration from your work and will continue to follow your activism in the future.
