Learning to talk, not shout!

In the last couple of weeks I have had the good fortune of listening to some key activists speak about their work: Bill McKibben of 350.org; Sean Weaver who was involved in stopping the logging of native timber on the West Coast; and Moana Jackson who is a central figure in the Tino Rangatiratanga movement.

Listening to these people speak about their activism has been both inspiring and influential. While they have all been clear about the importance of direct action in their respective campaigns, they also stressed the importance of being professional, inclusive and level-headed.

While I have been known to hurl abuse at politicians in public and denegrate our government on this blog, I am coming around to the realisation that these methods may not be the most effective.

While yelling serves to fulfil my own desires, it makes very little difference in the greater scheme of things. How much more powerful would it be if our politicians were confronted with a group of peaceful, happy people calling for dialogue? Of course these ideas are as old as the notion of 'activism', however, it is a matter for each individual to come around to this position on their own.

And I am getting there.

While I still have an urge to yell and scream, I will actively work to be more conciliatory, inclusive, respectful and professional. The issues with which we are dealing are more important than satisfying our own desires to scream and shout!