I am an intersectional feminist. This means that I believe in the equality of the sexes, while acknowledging that any person’s gender, socioeconomic status, race, sexuality, etc. play a huge part in how they will be treated in the world. I am also ardent in my political beliefs and the things I claim to stand for.

I often find myself and my friends waxing poetic about environmental protection, voting rights and other things that we believe in. Regardless of your political leanings, I think this kind of conversation is not only valuable, but it’s necessary. I’ve often found myself taking pride in caring about what I believe is truly important.

There’s only one problem.

When given the opportunity to act on these beliefs, I’ve often fallen short. There were many chances this last semester for me to turn what I say into viable action, and I didn’t.

When I arrived at NC State this past spring, I had plenty of opportunities to attend events, meetings and lectures that were dedicated to the things I claim to care so much about. There were various Women’s History Month events, events championing women’s rights, events educating the student body about sexual assault, events about environmental protection and sustainability, Black History Month events, and the like. I attended a total of zero of them.

Our school made an effort to try to speak to students about issues a lot of people, including myself, care about, and I didn’t listen. I thought about attending the Black History Month workshop, but I was just too busy. I almost got around to the Women’s History Month lecture, but I just didn’t go.

And what’s worse is that I don’t have a good excuse as to why I didn’t do any of these things. It’s not that I don’t care about these issues, it’s just that it is so much easier to say so then it is to do so. This isn’t only true for me, it is true for many people that I know, liberal and otherwise, who claim to care about social justice. There is a lot of talk, and little action.

I am going to change this, not only because I am embarrassed of my own laziness, but because it is necessary. The disconnect that I displayed between my words and my actions is wrong, but is probably very common. Next semester, I want to do better. I believe that any act, even one as small as attending an informative school event, is a step in the right direction,

In today’s political theatre, there is so much happening. Voting rights, women’s health issues, environmental protection, and a lot of the things I say mean so much to me, are all at risk on a national scale. 

Any look at Twitter, Facebook or other social media nowadays will more than likely be filled with anger about the state of politics today, especially regarding President Donald Trump. This anger is valid. The problem lies in what is being said, and what is actually being done. It is valuable to create Twitter hashtags and start a meaningful conversation online. It is also the easy thing to do, and doesn’t guarantee meaningful education on, or action toward, what is important.

According to a 2014 study conducted by Cone Communications, 71 percent of millennials use social media to discuss issues that matter to them.

The same study also found that, “If given the opportunity, Americans are most willing to take online actions that have a direct impact on an issue — such as voting, signing petitions and learning about changes they can make in their everyday lives.”

They noted that there is a large disconnect between this online activity and discussion and following up with actions such as volunteering.

As I’ve mentioned, I have these same sort of discussions in my own life. It feels good to have them, and it feels good to care. But in order to contribute positively to the conversation, that cannot be all I, or anyone, does. I tried to make myself feel better about not doing more last semester, because I knew I cared anyway, or because I knew I was busy, and myriad other excuses. I was too tired, too busy and too apathetic. 

This wasn’t right. 

All of the events hosted by the Women’s Center, the Union Activities Board, and other departments/organizations go a long way to creating meaningful conversation and education toward issues I and other students care about. In order to fully participate in conversations about social justice, next semester and from now on, I will first participate.