activism

I grew up with the idea that everyone should be treated equally. What I didn’t always know is that I have a responsibility to work towards that ideal. I was a feminist in theory only. What moved me to action was discovering Hollaback!, an anti-street harassment organization. Learning that people all over the world were experiencing gender-based harassment just like me was a relief - it’s comforting to know you’re not alone. But it’s prevalence also made it clear that I had to get involved. I founded the Baltimore chapter of Hollaback! in 2011. Running the chapter, for me, meant raising awareness about harassment and how it affects the people in my town. I wanted to give people options to respond to it, whether they were the direct victim or a bystander. I began humbly by tabling at other people’s events and quickly moved on to chalk walks, protests, workshops, and organizing my own events. I was proud to be part of the Transgender Response Team, assisting in planning Transgender Day of Remembrance, organizing and participating in a video PSA series, and co-creating Best Practices Bulletin #1 – Survivor Services and Transgender Clients. I also co-wrote the Street Harassment Fact Sheet for MCASA with Holly Kearl of Stop Street Harassment.

The same year I founded Hollaback! Baltimore I started the political hardcore punk band, War On Women, with long-time music partner Brooks Harlan. There must have been something in the air. I eventually stepped back from the chapter to concentrate on the band, and focused my activism efforts on what I could do through writing lyrics and holding space on stage. It can be a very different, internal approach, so I do my best to stay current on popular feminist discourse. It’s important to me to keep learning and growing, always striving to be as intersectional in my approach as possible. After a decade of involvement, I finally closed the Baltimore chapter of Hollaback! to concentrate on sharing my knowledge and skills with others through safer space trainings, the But Her Lyrics… podcast, and other social justice collaborations.

If you’re wondering how to get started, look for an organization or group in your town that might already be working on the issues you care about. Volunteer with them, go to meetings, donate money, or spread the word. If no one local is already doing the work, is there a national organization with separate chapters? Maybe inquire about starting your own chapter. Or you can collaborate; bring your ideas to a group to help expand what they do. If you feel all alone in caring about your issue, then maybe it is up to you to create something. You can raise awareness, you can teach skills, you can provide a service, you can protest, you can culture jam - there are too many options to type here. However you go about it, educate yourself on the topic, look to other groups that you can learn from (both their successes and missteps), and then DO something. Good luck!