Feeding the Activist's Soul

A Guide for HCR Activists, Part 4 of 7

—NEA Human & Civil Rights

This is an excerpt from "Putting Our Values To Work: A Guide for the Association Human and Civil Rights Activist."

"Passion is an energy...it's an energy that exists in all of us, all the time. The question is not whether we have it but whether we access it, and how we channel it."
—Derrick Bell, professor of law

"Burnout" is a scary word whether you're an educator or an activist or both. And Mr. Burnout will sneak up on you and pounce without warning.

How do activists avoid burnout?

Activism over time can leave you feeling drained of the passion that once drove you. And once your passion has ebbed, you're just going through the motions.

Here are some tips for rekindling your passion:

Give yourself time and space to reflect. Action without reflection can easily lead to monotony and emptiness. Reflection allows you to re-examine the roots of your activism and replenish your moral reserves.

Pace yourself. Civil Rights activist Ysaye Barnwell, of the singing group Sweet Honey in the Rock, has compared social involvement to the process of making music. In both, she says, you can't rush things.

"Music has its rhythm and pace. You have to keep up with them, and not go too slow or too fast, or the song won't work. You need to take all the time you need. You want to breathe, savor each note, and feel the spaces between the words that you sing."

Immerse yourself in an activity outside the cause that rejuvenates your soul. For some it might be art or music; for others, it might be sports or a walk in the park.

Read "Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in a Cynical Time" by Paul Rogat Loeb (St. Martin's Griffi n 1999) and "Ethical Ambition: Living a Life of Meaning and Worth" by Derrick Bell (Bloomsbury Publishing 2002). They are both amazing resources for activists.

Related Resources

"Putting Our Values To Work"

1. Intro: Somebody Ought To Do Something
2. Frequently Asked Questions About Being an Activist
3. Tips for the Association Activist
4. Feeding the Activist's Soul
5. A Tool Kit for Human and Civil Rights Activists
6. The Activist's Library
7. The Activist's Cyberspace Resources