Writing is the best form of activism

Isti Marta Sukma, M.A.
2 min readApr 28, 2024

If you really care about something, write.

In today’s world, every cause is important to rally behind.

Not that it’s wrong, but the word ‘activism’ starts to lose its meaning.

Oftentimes, your protests drive your cause away from getting the attention it deserves.

Many of today’s rallies, protests, and actions aimed at promoting important causes such as anti-war efforts and addressing the climate crisis often end up trivializing the issues and alienating those who genuinely care.

I understand that the motivation behind these actions is to draw attention, to be heard, and ultimately to address the cause at hand.

However, in today’s culture of ‘protesting whatever is cool,’ where individuals may not fully grasp the cause they’re voicing support for, we need to reconsider the meaning of ‘activism’ in the modern digital age.

While protests driven by genuine concerns and supported by masses can indeed lead to change, the trend of protesting without full understanding dilutes the effectiveness of activism and undermines the credibility of genuine efforts.

Start with writing, for God’s sake

Many people would benefit greatly from taking the time to articulate the genuine reasons behind their concerns.

Expressing your thoughts with tangible evidence not only helps you personally address the issue in a more profound manner but also enables you to formulate potential solutions.

Many protests today seem to arise spontaneously, driven by empathy but lacking in individual understanding of why the issue truly matters.

Taking a step back to reflect on the core reasons behind your activism can certainly lead to more informed and impactful actions.

Absolutely, writing about your cause allows you to inform more people about why it’s important and why they should care too.

Through written communication, you can reach a wider audience and provide detailed explanations, evidence, and arguments to convey the significance of the issue.

This shared understanding can foster empathy and solidarity, ensuring that not only you but also those who see you rallying on the street come to the same sense of understanding and commitment to the cause.

A lot would disagree, and “actions speak louder than words” would come up against this argument. No.

Your words should come before your actions. Write it down.

We need solutions, and solutions do not come only from being stubborn about certain issues.

It requires two things first: understanding and then dialectics.

Only when you listen to those who stand on the other side of history can you come up with “what’s next.”

If you care so much about climate for instance, don’t shove it down others’ throats by destroying things or judge those who do not drink from paper straws.

Start with understanding your rationale, then have a conversation.

Do your research to come up with a plausible solution, then start a raly.

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Isti Marta Sukma, M.A.

Interdisciplinary researcher based in Warsaw. I write political science, tech, security, psychoanalysis and philosophy.