Advocating for Social Justice in Your Community: A Multi-Step Process

We live in a time when social justice is more talked about than ever before. From important discussions on dismantling oppressive systems like racism and sexism to talks of environmentalism, homophobia and transphobia, and imperialism, there seems to be a never-ending hierarchy that aims to keep oppressed people oppressed for the foreseeable future.

However, it doesn’t have to be like this – and it all starts within communities. Local social change initiatives can be massively effective in advancing community activism, but with the seemingly endless plethora of advocacy tools, it can be difficult to know where to start.

Looking to transform the landscape of activism and policy within your local community? Now is the perfect time to start. Here is everything you should know about the multi-step process of advocating for social justice in your community.

Understand Grassroots Organizing

It’s a term you might hear thrown around a lot in the world of human rights, and it’s something you need to be familiar with if you have high hopes for community empowerment. But what is grassroots organizing?

Simply put, grassroots organizing initiatives describe a community-based approach designed to address problems at local, national, and even international levels. Whether advocating for a community that understands and prioritizes mental health or bringing together individuals united against systemic racism, these local projects are key for gaining momentum in any social movement.

Depending on your community, there is a possibility that grassroots organizations are already operating at the local level in the fight for equality and equity. In that case, this is the sign you need to dive in head first and make your mark on the community – and eventually, the world.

However, there’s always the chance that grassroots organizations just aren’t a thing in your area, or at least not something widely known – but who’s to say you can’t be the spark that lights the fire? These movements are all about starting from the ground and building up, and once you know your purpose, you can take the steps necessary to start a grassroots movement (more on that to come in future articles).

Take Advantage of Volunteer Opportunities

There’s no time like the present to start building alliances with fellow community members who take the time to give back. Regardless of where you live, there are likely to be several volunteer opportunities just waiting to be tapped into.

Volunteering is one of the best ways to advance social change in your community. You can help out at a soup kitchen, donate your time to local animal shelters, or do more wide-scale work like supporting humanitarian aid initiatives. It’s the perfect way to show that you value human rights and believe in the inherent worth of all human lives—and a fantastic opportunity to meet people who will help you take your advocacy to the next level.

Remember Intersectional Activism

One of the most important concepts to familiarize yourself with as you journey along the path to social empowerment is intersectionality, the heart of truly transformative activism. The bottom line is that all systems of oppression are interconnected, and things like our race, gender, sexuality, and other identities intrinsic to our very being heavily influence the way we interact with the world.

Intersectionality describes a framework that explains how these overlapping identities are related to structures of oppression and merge to create our complex identities. When you acknowledge intersectionality in your social justice work, you ensure that no one is left behind in the fight for equal rights and that all lives are valued in your convictions.

True social justice education is only possible when you approach the world through an intersectional lens. If you haven’t taken the time to learn about the intersectional nature of advocacy or incorporate it into your organizing, it’s time to take this step forward.

Don’t Be Afraid to Get Out There and Make Your Voice Heard – and Support Those Who Dare to Speak Up

It’s undeniable that the state of social justice would not be where it is today without the people who dare to speak up through efforts like protesting and other demonstrations. Whether in the battle against war, racism, or the fight for environmentalism, protesting is an invaluable tool that has transformed and shaped communities over the past several decades.

It might feel scary to make your voice heard in such a way – but those people you see taking to the streets know what they stand for and are committed to making the world a better place. There are even virtual protests that account for events like the COVID-19 pandemic you can get involved in to make a difference in your community.

Not sure this is for you? There are other ways you can get involved in demonstrations, like supporting those who dare to speak up, even when it feels like the world is against them. No matter how you choose to make your voice heard – from the act of protesting to simply tabling and handing out flyers demonstrating your cause – every act you take towards a more equitable world is valuable.

Plan for the Future

Unfortunately, enacting true change is not a one-step process but a culmination of every step you take to achieve a better world. In your efforts to fight for social justice, never forget to plan for the future.

Say you achieve a small goal you’ve set in your equal rights campaign. What’s next? What other work needs to be done to achieve the world you want to see, the world you want your loved ones to grow up and thrive in? You have to ask yourself these questions to truly make lasting change.

The bottom line is that one policy change influenced by your efforts won’t be enough to transform the world. You must keep moving, pushing, fighting, and making your voice heard.

In time, you will see the world you want to see – but always remember that these things take time and, above all else, community.