What Are Your 2008 Activist Resolutions?

"[S]top thinking about how crazy the times are, and start thinking about what the crazy times demand."--Seth Godin

A couple weeks ago blogger Latoya Peterson posted her 2008 Activist Resolutions on Racialicious. Some of her resolutions were to reconnect with her city council members, get more involved with youth outreach through the arts, and "stop saying 'Africa.' Africa is not a country. It is a continent."

Many of Latoya's readers shared their activist resolutions in the post's comments. Atlasien of Upside-Down Adoption said she was going to become involved in a local organization for immigrant rights. Elizabeth said she would like to write her representatives and local newspaper more, like Vegankid does.

B! of A Daughter's Geography was inspired by Latoya's post and wrote her own Sunday Shine * {Activist Resolutions}. Her resolutions include eating local organic food, teaching her students about healthier eating options, and volunteering at a community garden.

I really liked this idea so thought I'd post my own:

1. Continue reading and learning about why genocide happens and what I can do to encourage the United States to be a part of the solution. I recently finished reading A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide by Samantha Power. It was probably one of the best books I've read and definitely helped me to better understand the issue, and America's policies and history around it. Power is on my Big Vision Podcast dream interview wish list, if anyone knows her and can provide me with an introduction.

2. Interview more activists/visionaries of color for the Big Vision Podcast. Last year I interviewed 12 people for the Big Vision Podcast and 4 of them were people of color. I'd like to up that number to 6. Zainab Salbi, the founder of Women for Women International is also on my dream interview wish list, if you know her.

3. Carry at least one cloth shopping bag with me at all times. My aunt gave me an Envirosax for Christmas that should make keeping that resolution easy. The same company also sells a shower timer that I'd like to start using too.

4. Write to Jacinta Onoro, the woman I am sponsoring through Women for Women International, each month.

5. Donate 5 % of my income. (Check out this interesting Giving Calculator).

6. Have more fun while doing good. I worked a little too hard and did a little too much this year (evidenced by the fact that I am in bed with a cold right now). I need to be a bit more balanced in the fun department in 2008, spend more time with my family and friends, read silly as well as serious stuff, and take time to enjoy all the things that are going well in my life and in our world.

What are your 2008 Activist Resolutions?


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Photo of sign from 2003 Iraq war protest by me.