Category: Activism

Rhetorical Situation

The article titled Youth-led activism and political engagement in New Zealand: A survey of Generation Zero is published in Communication Research and Practice, an international scholarly journal that publishes research on the different aspects of communication. The authors are Giles Dodson and Evangelia Papoutsaki from the Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand. The article analyses the membership of Generation Zero, a youth-led environmental organization, to provide a preliminary understanding of [its] demographic and political profile (Dodson & Papoutsaki, 2017, p. 195). As the authors admit themselves, this choice of topic was due to the article being a part of a larger research project on the organizations activism in New Zealand (Dodson & Papoutsaki, 2017). However, they also point out that their case study provides a better understanding of the hybrid and entrepreneurial political campaigning in New Zealand (Dodson & Papoutsaki, 2017). Thus, the intended audience of the article is not only those interested in environmental activism in New Zealand and, in particular, Generation Zero, but a broader group of readers interested in contemporary campaigning on the internet.

The authors aim to characterize the efficiency of Generation Zeros online campaigning by analyzing the organizations membership by several criteria. These include age, gender, income level, political engagements, media consumption, and others (Dodson & Papoutsaki, 2017). The authors collected the information via the electronic membership survey containing 22 questions, including check-boxes, Likert scale, and verbatim questions (Dodson & Papoutsaki, 2017). By securing the cooperation of Generation Zero, the authors were able to distribute the questionnaire through the organizations customer management database (Dodson & Papoutsaki, 2017). All in all, 8148 members of the organization were invited to participate, and 8.5% of them agreed and provided answers, thus leaving the authors with a sample of 693 completed surveys (Dodson & Papoutsaki, 2017). Hence, the method employed in the article provided a fairly representative dataset to work with.

The results of the completed surveys suggest that the membership of Generation Zero is highly homogenous in multiple respects. It tends to have an income above the median, and almost three-quarters of the organization members are under 40 years of age (Dodson & Papoutsaki, 2017). They also demonstrate a higher-than-average degree of political involvement, measured by the vote enrolment, and are overwhelmingly supportive of the Green Party (Dodson & Papoutsaki, 2017, p. 202). As a result, the authors conclude that the current membership of Generation Zero is overwhelmingly concentrated in the urban educated middle class below 40. Consequently, Dodson and Papoutsaki (2017) conclude that the organizations demographic focus is narrow, and it should seek a more diverse membership to broaden its appeal beyond the current activist core.

Research Conversation

The authors demonstrate that their work is firmly grounded in the previous research and connected to the many ongoing scholarly discussions. They refer to the recent scholarly works extensively when defining the basic terms used in the articles, such as youth and political engagement (Dodson & Papoutsaki, 2017, p. 196). This approach allows the authors to build credibility in the eyes of the audience by demonstrating their awareness of the current developments and debates in their chosen scholarly field. Apart from that, it also allows relating the research conducted for the article to broader issues, as in the examples outlined below.

One of the ways the authors engage in a conversation with previous research is entering the debate on youth political engagement. Dodson and Papoutsaki (2017) mention the assumption that young people, in particular, are actively disengaged from politics, but immediately point to the scholarly works that criticize and rebuke this claim (p. 197). The results obtained through the authors research also contradict the idea of youth being detached from political life and disinclined to participate in it. According to the article, 95.7% of the young membership of Generation Zero is enrolled to vote, as compared to the average 84.21% for this age group in New Zealand in general (Dodson & Papoutsaki, 2017). This data openly contradicts the notion that younger citizens of New Zealand are less inclined to participate in politics than their older counterparts and, thus, the article contributes to a broader discussion.

The articles discussion of Generation Zeros online campaigning enters a conversation with the previous research as well, as it relates to yet another debated issue. The authors note that according to one existing perspective, online political activism may be displacing conventional forms of political engagement, most notably among youth (Dodson & Papoutsaki, 2017, p. 198). They supplement this notion with ample references to scholarly literature, thus establishing it as a broadly debated issue. However, the results of the research demonstrate that Generation Zero urges its members to take part in public political processes as opposed to limiting themselves solely to online activities (Dodson & Papoutsaki, 2017). By doing so, Dodson and Papoutsaki (2017) put their findings in a conversation with the previous research, which allows them to go beyond announcing the results of the study. Instead, the authors put their findings and conclusion in the context of a larger scholarly debate regarding youth political participation and engagement as facilitated or impeded by online communication.

References

Dodson, G., & Papoutsaki, E. (2017). Youth-led activism and political engagement in New Zealand: A survey of Generation Zero. Communication Research and Practice, 3(2), 194-211.

Introduction

Judicial activism is defined as a form of judicial philosophy that motivates judges to move away from strict adherence to judicial precedence in preference to progressive and new social policies which are not always consistent with the restraint of appellate judges. Judicial activism decisions in some circumstances therefore may be intrusions into the legislative and executive affairs. According to the Merriam Websters dictionary of law, judicial activism is the action of protecting or expanding of an individuals rights through the enforcement of decisions that are not in line with the established precedence or such decision which are opposite to the constitutional or legislative intent (Mane, n.d.).

Discussion

Conservative View: The principle of judicial activism has been constantly opposed by conservatives since they consider it as a process of selecting a particular freedom as a scheme to hand down rulings that can have the effect of expanding personal freedoms. Consequently, there is a fear that the stare decisis doctrine can sometimes be applied to erode the original word or to change the intention of the text so as to make it more malleable. The opponents of judicial activism argue that it goes beyond the normal constraints that the constitution, which is a supreme law, gives to the jurists regarding the right to water down any legislation that is perverse to the constitution. Consequently, those critical of judicial power argue that it can displace and override existing laws or may lead to unnecessary legal uncertainty. The principle of judicial activism can violate the principle of separation of powers since it has been interpreted as legislation from the bench which amounts to judicial tyranny or judicial dictatorship (Mane, n.d).

Liberal Perspective: The liberals argue that any living constitutions should be flexible and any constitutional philosophy endorses any ruling as long the judge is able to justify that the particular ruling can contribute to the growth and the evolution of the constitution. Notwithstanding this argument, judicial activism amounts to blatant violation of the judges oath of office and their sworn allegiance to uphold the constitution. Any judge who administers a ruling by applying the principle of judicial activism is an explicit indication that such a judge is not interpreting the constitution and it will in turn lead to the public perception that the judges are writing their own constitution and this has the net effect of creating skewed and unpredictable rulings (Chemerisnsky, 2010).

The epitome of judicial activism was the Brown vs. Board of Education. This ruling was considered activist in form because all the laws that required racial segregation were declared unconstitutional and all the precedents that had upheld such laws were overruled (Chemerisnsky, 2010). The most recent cases decided by judicial activism were the District of Columbia vs. Heller which was a gun ruling case. In this case, the Supreme Court considered the provisions of the second amendments regarding the right to bear arms as an individual right as opposed to a right tied to a well regulated militia (Bookman, 2010). The Supreme Court has been castigated for applying judicial activism in determining cases. The doctrine of judicial activism also poses problems to direct enforcement of justice (Roosevelt, 2008).

Conclusion

Judicial activism is considered a form of personified justice and therefore viewed as an inherent judicial principle. Judicial activism rulings by the Supreme Court have been political talk points and there should be a way of determining as to when a charge is justified or not.

References

Bookman, J. (2010). Latest gun ruling a case of conservative judicial activism. Bookman Blogs. Web.

Chemerisnsky, E. (2010, January 22). Conservatives embrace judicial activism in campaign finance ruling. Los Angeles Times, p. 1.

Mane, A.D. (n.d.). Judicial Activism: A Theory of Judicial Philosophy. Articles on Juries Prudence. Web.

Roosevelt, K. (2008). The Myth of Judicial Activism: Making Sense of Supreme Court Decisions. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

The image that comes to mind associated with the name of Louis Armstrong is probably a collective one of a jazz musician. A black man with a trumpet personifies not purely the genre, but the entire culture, the epoch in music as well as art in general. Regarding Armstrong personally, he is rightfully considered to have been among the most outstanding and at the same time contradictory figures in jazz. His inimitable technique gave new opportunities for this type of music and favored its development.

However, it would be wrong to limit Louis Armstrongs revolutionism to musical performance. Actually, jazz as such appeared as a form of a protest against social disparity, most notably, race-based prejudice. The jazz king challenged the archaic values of contemporary American society by his work, which auspicated the campaign for destigmatizing the black and protecting their rights. Concurrently, Armstrong himself was not immune to racial issues, whose sensitivity grew together with his popularity.

A Silent Revolutionary

At first sight, the biography of the Father of Jazz describes him as completely indifferent to any social tensions. Furthermore, he was frequently criticized for his unwillingness to participate in civil right activism but normally replied, I dont get involved in politics. I just blow my horn (Antos, 2010). He actually never took part in any public performances concerning race relations in the USA and only started discussing those publicly by the end of his life.

However, the lack of direct action did not prohibit Armstrong from influencing the public moods as long as heavy activity is not the only way to do that. Playing also for white audiences, he had a chance to transmit certain messages in a less straightforward way. Reiff with reliance upon Scotts theory refers to a phenomenon of that kind as a hidden transcript versus a public one (2010). The point is that information is not necessarily verbal because a particular occasion, manner, or even motion can sometimes tell more.

Before everything else, African Americans were widely believed to be not as intellectual or civilized as the white, meanwhile, Armstrong was literally a living counterargument. He was recognized as an equal one at least in terms of talent and performance, and his reputation grew by lapse of time (Reiff, 2010). Such a success did not only benefit him personally but had the potential to paint all black population in a better light.

Armstrongs rendition of the famous song under the title Black and Blue is especially worth noting as an example of a hidden transcript. In fact, it is only partly hidden in this case as his variant of the lyrics describes quite clearly the routines of an average African American of that period. Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead [&] even the mouse ran from my house  these lines depict the extreme poverty the musician himself experienced in his childhood (Armstrong, 2001). Regarding the attitude of the society, it is obvious from the following words: They laugh at you, and scorn you too [&] Aint got a friend / My only sin is in my skin (Armstrong, 2001). By means of this work, the author attracted the attention of his white admirers to the problems of the black.

Uncle Tom

Although the white recognized Louis Armstrong among the best trumpet players, racial bias followed him. Other African Americans, including the members of the jazz community, accused him of being an Uncle Tom, which metaphorical term stands for excessively subservient behavior (Riccardi, 2020). The reason was that, apart from singing for the white, he tried to please them. Im white  inside  he sang in the above-mentioned song, seemingly recognizing himself and, consequently, all non-white population as second-rate (Armstrong, 2001). Not solely this song, but the overall behavior and outwardly indifferent position of Armstrong discouraged his mates from favoring him.

Although not everyone was able to see Armstrongs hidden transcript, it was probably his major motivation. He had to be under white administration to simply acquire a chance to be heard because owners of most record companies, concert halls, and theaters would never negotiate with a black (Reiff, 2010). He continued performing in front of white audiences and put maximum effort to appeal to them in order to change, even if slightly, their opinion on African Americans. He called himself white inside to show how absurd the idea of race-related superiority sounded and how powerful it still was, making people reject their identities they had even not chosen.

To summarize, Louis Armstrongs poor participation in public civil right activism does not mean a lack of interest. Having lived in poverty and having been ridiculed, similarly to most African Americans in the first half of the 20^th century, he could not avoid the struggle. However, he preferred a so-called hidden transcript to vigorous activity. He had an impact on the white population by charming them with his talent, which allowed a transmit of necessary messages in a less direct way. As he continued signing for white audiences, he contributed to the gradual shift of the public opinion and focus.

References

Antos, J. D. (2010). Louis Armstrong broke silence on civil rights in 1957. Web.

Armstrong, L. (2001). Black and Blue [Song]. On Jazz & Blues: 36 Outstanding Tracks [Album]. Web.

Reiff, M. (2010). Unexpected activism: A study of Louis Armstrong and Charles Mingus as activists using James Scotts theory of public versus hidden transcripts. Summer Research. Web.

Riccardi, R. (2020). Im still Louis Armstrong-colored: Louis Armstrong and the civil rights era. Web.

Introduction

Ecofeminism is one of the essential trends of coherent society that includes many ideas and concepts prevalent in the modern world. One of its fundamental ideas states that balance is a core component of nature that should be observed to guarantee that the planet will be able to evolve and recover from the pernicious impact of human activity. The ruthless exploitation of its resources, as well as the discrimination and oppression of women, becomes central reasons for the fast deterioration of the state of the environment and the health of the nation, which proves the ideas of this movement.

Today, females become more active concerning environmental issues and the need for change to stop the deterioration of the climate. Regarding ecofeminism, their involvement is one of the essential parts of a new balanced society that can enter the phase of sustainable development. Accepting the importance of womens contribution to the protection of nature, the given project introduces the following research question:

What are the main sources of womens activism around climate change, and how this relates to their oppression as women in patriarchal societies?

The answer to this question will help to understand the fundamentals of ecofeminism, the importance of balance, and womens role in contemporary society.

Definition of Ecofeminism

In general, ecofeminism can be determined as the belief that the domination of women and nature is the basis for the hierarchy of male and female and relations (Greta, 2015). At the same time, women and the earth are taken as the core of the natural world and its future existence. These elements symbolize sustainability, health, and reproduction, the factors that play leading roles in the life of any individual. From the ecofeminist perspective, the domination of men and the exploitation of women result in the destruction of the environment and appearance of multiple issues that deteriorate the health of the nation. For this reason, there is a critical need for finding the balance that can be achieved by the promotion of feminism and green incentives that will help to save the planet. In this regard, ecofeminism becomes a combination of these elements.

Today, this paradigm acquires its topicality and becomes one of the recognizable movements across the world. One of the leading factors for the popularization of ecofeminism is the fast-deteriorating state of the environment, which is mainly associated with the core features of patriarchal society. The desire for power, dominance, and fierce rivalry precondition the choice of specific forms of relations with the planet presupposing its draining (Greta, 2015). In this regard, ecofeminism, with its emphasis on the reconsideration of these patterns, broad womens involvement, and the balance becomes a solution that can satisfy all parties and improve the state of the environment. Additionally, the focus on human rights and equality creates the ground for the successful spread of this idea and its empowerment in various regions of the world.

Ecofeminism and Nature

A critically important feature of ecofeminism is its strong links with nature. Since the first stages of the development and evolution of this paradigm, the planet has been considered a unique place that should be protected. Similar to women and their oppression, nature also suffers from male conquest who try to dominate and control both women and resources available for them. In this regard, ecofeminism, as a subset of environmental ethics and politics, devotes much attention to issues associated with nature (Greta, 2015). The climate, pollution, deterioration of the atmosphere, and multiple other factors can be considered the primary concern of this theoretical framework as it aims at the elimination of womens oppression and restoration of balance if all spheres of human activity, including societys relation with nature.

Mainly because of this unusual combination of its leading goals, ecofeminism becomes one of the significant forces and sources of womens activity regarding climate change. Females are traditionally more concerned about such issues as environmental health, habitats, and livelihoods (Greta, 2015). For this reason, nature and its current state acquire the top priority of this paradigm. Ecofeminism insists on the necessity to reconsider social domination and eliminate roots for hatred of nature and its ruthless exploitation as the survival of species, including human beings, depends on the ability of the planet to evolve and preserve balance. In this regard, the given concept remains closely linked to multiple environmental concerns that are associated with a patriarchal society because of its character. Women, with their better understanding of health and climate, can become the main actors facilitating change and eliminating all forms of unwise relations between individuals and with the planet.

Goodes Mythology and Ecofeminism

The concept of ecofeminism is rather new; however, there are multiple perquisites for its emergence that can be traced to past times. The idea rests on various ancient mythologies and visions created by people with an attempt to describe the rules of nature and the way it works. Many created goddesses represented characteristics of the earth and its basic features (Baring & Cashford, 1993). For this reason, ecofeminism becomes closely connected to goddess mythology and such recognizable images as Athena, who embodies multiple qualities such as wisdom, power, creativity, and protection. Moreover, today, the existing environmental issues can be analyzed from the perspective of womens activism and the need for balance in relations with nature and between genders, which is one of the basic assumptions of ecofeminism. In general, the reconsideration of societys relations with the planet seems the most effective method that can be used to solve many environmental problems and create new positive tendencies.

The importance of the goddess mythology regarding ecofeminism and environmental issues is also evidenced by the fact that in multiple mythologies, women had been taken as the expression of sanctity and unity of life (Baring & Cashford, 1993). In the course of development and alterations in peoples mentalities, new changes to these archetypes were applied; however, the myth of the godets remained one of the prevailing forces shaping the worldview of individuals over time (Baring & Cashford, 1993). Today, there are also some unacknowledged or even unconscious, implicit forms in which this concept is reflected or manifested. For instance, ideas of feminism can be correlated with the myths of powerful goddesses who were responsible for multiple spheres of human activity. These factors show that the desired balance can be found by appealing to ancient beliefs and trying to restore important knowledge about the role of women in society.

Links between Women and Nature

Ecofeminism also accepts the idea that male and female relations with nature are different. In the majority of cases, women respond faster than men by adapting to multiple coping mechanisms regardless of how effective these methods are (Onwutuebe, 2019). It can be explained by the fact that they understand the peculiarities of the environment and the way nature works better. Being responsible for procreation and childrens upbringing, women possess the inborn qualities that help them to survive in rapidly changing settings by understanding their sources and how they should act to restore the balance (Onwutuebe, 2019). For this reason, there have always been multiple and strong links between females and the environment that helped to preserve the appropriate equilibrium and avoid critical deterioration of living conditions. However, with the development and empowerment of the patriarchal society and intense oppression, women lost their opportunity to impact policy-making and be involved in global relations with the planet.

Today, under the impact of feminist movements and critically deteriorating climate, the power of womens voices starts to increase. At the same time, due to the spread and popularization of ecofeminism, there is also a better understanding of the importance of females in the selection of an appropriate paradigm in relations with nature. Womens prior desire remains the same as they want a world that is safe for children, and that does not pose a threat to them (Bolen, 2005). For this reason, their understanding of the environment and nature helps them to avoid unwise exploitation patterns and consider the most topical problems by using perspective different from the patriarchal one.

Causes for Womens Activity Regarding the Climate Change

Climate change remains one of the main concerns of the modern world as it preconditions multiple adverse effects on almost all regions. These might include sea-level rises, tropical cyclones, droughts, flooding, and other hazards that impact the quality of peoples life (Tanjeela & Rutherford, 2018). In almost all cases, women are more vulnerable to these factors if to compare with men because they are poor (Onwutuebe, 2019). Additionally, globally, a significant number of females work in the agricultural sector that is highly exposed to alterations in the environment and climate changes (Onwutuebe, 2019). For this reason, one of the sources of women activism regarding the discussed issue is their belonging to the risk group. Being the first to face multiple adverse effects, they struggle to stop the ruthless exploitation of the planet and its resources and avoid critical outcomes.

Another fundamental source of womens activism is their high responsibility for the lives of the next generations. Care about children is one of the basic instincts that drive women in their actions and attempts to protect their offspring (Greta, 2015). Deterioration of climate directly impacts the health of the nation as the poor quality of water or air will contribute to the appearance of chronic diseases among young people. For this reason, women are become more concerned with the problem and realize the need for immediate action.

The desire to improve their current position and avoid oppression can be taken as one more essential source of womens activism regarding climate change. For instance, in areas such as Bangladesh, or Nigeria, the worsening of the climate means higher amounts of low-paid work for women and their further discrimination as they have to spend hours in queues for fresh water or some other products (Onwutuebe, 2019; Tanjeela & Rutherford, 2018). From this perspective, the improvement of climate also means the elimination of humiliating forms of cooperation.

Relation Between Womens Eco-Activism and Their Oppression

Regarding the ideas mentioned above, multiple links between womens eco-activism and their oppression become clear. Belonging to the cohort that suffers from climate change most of all, they engage in action to protect themselves and their children from the further deterioration of the environment and new forms of discrimination. Today, many females have little or even no choice of occupation but to work in the agricultural sector presupposing small-scale farming (Onwutuebe, 2019). It deprives them of the chance to realize themselves in other spheres of human life, socialize, and impact global decision-making. In this regard, eco-activism becomes one of the forms to struggle against various types of oppression and attract the attention of the patriarchal society to the problems that are critical at the moment.

Those women who are responsible for securing food, water, fuel, and products for their homes face significant challenges and become even more oppressed as they have no opportunities to devote attention to their personal development and growth (Onwutuebe, 2019). For this reason, eco-activism and feminism become tools that might help this cohort to struggle for their rights by improving the conditions under which they live and making their lives easier. The upgrade in quality also means the improvement in education, which will contribute to a better understanding of their roles in the life of the planet and preserving balance fundamental for the survival of nations. That is why the growth of womens awareness about climate change issues is directly related to their desire to destroy all forms of discrimination that affect them.

The Importance of Balance in Human Relations with Nature and in Gender Relations

Applying the ideas of ecofeminism to concepts and situations mentioned above, it is possible to conclude that the primary cause for these outcomes is the absence of balance in relations with nature. In patriarchal societies, power is one of the core values, which means that following this concept, humanity will continue to exploit the planet (Greta, 2015). At the same time, the wiser and more effective approach to the cooperation with nature might presuppose the look for new forms that could help to avoid substantial damage to its resources. A new balance can be achieved by analyzing the most problematic climate issues from the perspective of an equal, not patriarchal society.

That is why balance is a key to solving the problems mentioned above as the inclusion of oppressed women in the international discourse might help to add new and fresh ideas and eliminate many problematic issues in relations with nature and between genders. Establishment of a new paradigm and reconsideration of archaic and not effective forms of cooperation that presuppose discriminative attitudes and unfair distribution of jobs is one of the critical aspects in creating a favorable environment that will help to stop the further climate change (Greta, 2015). Women, with their traditionally deep understanding of nature and disregard of power issues, are critical elements of balance that should be achieved today to guarantee that the next generations will survive and enjoy the world without discrimination.

Positive Effects

The idea of balance offered and discussed here can promote the appearance of multiple positive effects, and some of them can be visible even today. First of all, due to the high popularity of ecofeminism and its spread, many women from many regions, including the most oppressed ones, start to realize the need for action and engage in activities that help to solve the climate change problems and improve their states (Williams, 2018). It results in the cultivation of a new environment characterized by females inclusion in important social processes and their ability to struggle for a better quality of life for themselves and their children.

The second beneficial effect is the emergence of fresh ideas regarding climate change and the positive tendency towards the decrease in the number of oppressed women. For a bigger part of history, thoughts of females regarding numerous social concerns had been disregarded because of the dominance of men and their traditional values such as power, money, and wealth (Greta, 2015). However, today, under the impact of ecofeminism and aggravation of climate concerns, women acquire the platform and opportunity to express their ideas regarding the nature and societys relations with it and be heard by actors who impact policymaking. It can be taken as a significant achievement of ecofeminism and individuals struggle for their rights and the elimination of various forms of oppression.

Future

Considering all the facts mentioned above, it is possible to predict the further evolution and empowerment of ecofeminism as one of the practical tools to struggle against oppression and drawbacks of patriarchal society, including overconsumption, overproduction, ruthless exploitation of nature, and abuse. Humanity now stands at the line, and its crossing means irreversible changes in the environment and destruction of the planet (Greta, 2015). That is why the concept of eco-activism and balance should acquire the top priority as one of the possible ways to save humanity and avoid new adverse effects.

There is already a tendency towards the increase in the number of women who are concerned about climate change and the need for action. In the future, their quantity will continue to grow because of the shift of priorities from the domination of certain groups towards cooperation and compromise (Williams, 2018). In multiple areas characterized by the complex environmental situation, females play leading roles in struggling against the destruction of nature and their oppression. It becomes a useful measure to cultivate equality and tolerance, two qualities that are important for the modern world. For this reason, it is possible to predict the future positive changes in this sphere as there are radical changes in peoples mentalities and the need for action to save the world for the next generations.

Conclusion

Altogether, today women become more concerned about environmental issues and climate change. It happens under the impact of ecofeminism, the myth of goddess, and the correct realization of the need for balance and females inclusion in the international discourse as a source of fresh ideas. The factors that serve as the facilitators of eco-activism include womens more vulnerable position to alterations in the climate, their traditionally strong links with nature, the desire to save children, and eliminate various forms of oppression. Possessing a better understanding of compromise and balance because of their nature, they become more active in their attempts to reconsider patterns that are used today and stop the further destruction of the planet. The importance of this movement is evidenced by the fact that there are positive perspectives regarding the future evolution of these ideas and concepts and the increase in the number of females engaged in the given movement. The balance is fundamental today, and women will help to achieve it by adding their understanding of the new paradigm.

References

Baring, A., & Cashford, J. (1993). The myth of the goddess. Evolution of the image. New York, NY: Penguin Books.

Bolen, J. (2005). Urgent message from mother: Gather the women, save the world. York Beach, ME: Conari Press.

Greta, G. (2015). Ecofeminism and climate change. Womens Studies International Forum, 49, 20-33.

Onwutuebe, C. J. (2019). Patriarchy and women vulnerability to adverse climate change in Nigeria. SAGE Open, 9(1). Web.

Tanjeela, M., & Rutherford, S. (2018). The Influence of gender relations on womens involvement and experience in climate change adaptation programs in Bangladesh. SAGE Open, 8(4). Web.

Williams, L. (2018). Women and climate change impacts and action in Canada: Feminist, Indigenous, and intersectional perspectives. Web.

Mary Church Terrell was an outstanding historical figure that was engaged in social activities in the late nineteenth and second half of the twentieth century. As an activist and defender of the rights of oppressed groups of people, she acted at the macro-level of social work, which involved fighting for social change through politics. Mary Terrell was the first in many areas previously not available to African-Americans  among the first women of color she received higher education and was appointed to the city school board. Moreover, she was the first president of the National Association of Colored Women and the only African-American at the International Congress of Women in 1904 (Ware, 2019). Her achievements include the development of education, the fight against racial discrimination, and the promotion of womens rights.

Mary Terrells achievements in education were not limited to the fact that she was one of the first Afro-Americans to receive higher education among white students; her accomplishments were strongly connected to contemporary social work. She started her career as a teacher, after which she decided to take up the protection of rights. Moreover, the National Association, where Terrell was a president, actively developed and promoted programs for the organization of kindergartens for colored children. Because of these actions, the activist was noticed and invited to the Board of Education in Colombia. Modern social workers are also struggling to ensure that education is accessible to all American citizens.

Another crucial area of her work is the protection of the discriminated groups rights. After World War I, Terrell advocated for colored veterans jobs. In the 50s, she was an active participant in boycotts against segregation in public places, and, as a result, segregation was outlawed. Her works main achievements were the protection of African-American women and the struggle for womens suffrage. This issue was the one that she devoted most of her time to and became a voice for many who had not previously been heard.

At the macro-level of social work, there is still a struggle to protect the rights of poor groups of people, oppressed minorities, and others. Mary Church Terrell became an example showing that one can go where the path was closed before with sufficient assertiveness. Social workers of the present time continue their work  some protect families or specific people, seeking to realize their rights, while others are also fighting on a national scale.

Reference

Ware, S. (2019). Why they marched: Untold stories of the women who fought for the right to vote. Harvard University Press.

Role of Social Medias Influence in Activism and Revolution

Social networking and internet creation have significantly raised peoples capacity to spread or distribute information easily and freely and as well increased the capacity of the people to organize events. Revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia were highly contributed by the use of social networks which resulted in the bringing down their long-term, domineering era.

Social media, just like any other current modernization, may be used in a positive or negative way. The primary benefit and problem of social media is that it allows freedom of speech and expression, irrespective of whether or not the views should be heard.

Leaders have developed fear on online social media due to the fact that it plays a very important part in aiding revolutions. It does not matter whether social networks have the capacity to produce revolutions; it only matters whether the public believe it. Belarus president, Lukashenko, developed fear which led him to shut down Facebook. He saw this site as American way and he thought that people would become Americanized (Pargeter 231).

The broad use of social networks provides a remarkable challenge for traditional media providers. People have integrated YouTube videos and Facebook feeds through publishing. Most young generation at any function or event display a desire just to share their views and opinions through the use of social networks as a vital media to freely communicate. The use of social media has led to distribution of information in large scale in a short period of time.

Terrorists and racists are greatly utilizing social media as a way of publishing their hate speech and terror and depending less on usual websites. Shirky (31) stated that a 20 percent increase in the number of hate and terrorist-abetting Web sites, social network pages, chat forums and micro-bloggers over the last year, to a total of 11,500 in 2010. such results may be contributed by the stability and durability of the social networks and internet.

Social media contributed in various ways to the revolution which happened in Tunisia and this may be functional to some other contexts. Social media influenced the grassroots mobilization where the protests began on Facebook and afterwards effectively contributed a lot in community organizing stage. It as well contributed to increase in organization of civil society as well as dynamic citizenship. People utilized the importance of social media to identify where the police, looters, snipers have positioned and used it to inform others.

Social media acted as a means of security and protection. Facebook in Tunisia revolution was also used as a device to counter any propaganda or rumors like the case of allegations of shootings in the neighborhood but after a short while some responded saying that was false. Social media played a key role in examining government statements, as soon as the government officials give speeches on TV, the public went online, Facebook and twitter, to analyze them (Pacheco).

Actually, the revolution could have taken place without the means of social media but it would not have happened as fast like the way it was experienced in Tunisia and Egypt. The above examples have been used only to represent how social media have and will play major role in effectively mobilizing and spreading information to the public. Social media is considered cheap, efficient, and fast and has provided support to the public to efficiently and freely communicate without any restriction.

Works Cited

Pacheco, Walter. Activists push politics on Facebook, Twitter. 2012.

Pargeter, Alison. Reforming the Impossible? African Political Economy 33.107 (2006): 220-234.

Shirky, Clay. The Political Power of Social Media. Foreign Affairs 91.1 (2011): 29-40.

Nowadays, in times of the digital age and advanced communication technologies, it is not easy to imagine a world without any kind of social activism. Activism is a deliberate action by an individual or group aimed at directing or promoting social, economic, environmental, or political change in the local or global perspective. In other words, it is about actions that are taken by people who believe in and support any change in society.

In general, activists join extensive social movements that involve proactive people into a relatively large group of adherents who engage in social movement strategies and tactics. For instance, the Civil Rights movement, the Arab Spring demonstrations, and the Black Lives Matters movement are great examples of activists efforts to fight for social justice and equality (Tran, 2017). Nevertheless, some activists are engaged in lobbying to politically affect the decisions of public institutions and politicians, while others, like Greta Thunberg, join movements to stop climate change. Thus, activism is a vast concept that comprises efforts to challenge or resist the established way of doing or perceiving something in different fields of human life.

In terms of social activism, the most effective strategies at the moment are nonviolent resistance (or action) and social media activism. Nonviolent resistance is the type of peaceful fight for particular social change achieved by nonviolent tactics. The list of tactics includes protests (petitions, picketings, vigils), disobedience (strikes, boycotts), and interventions (sit-ins, nonviolent sabotage). Bethke and Pinckney (2019) argue that democratic transitions that were initiated by peaceful activities enhance democratic development, especially the quality of speech. As practice showed, this strategy can consolidate people and lead to essential social change.

Nevertheless, nonviolent activism often evolves in or causes a violent response from the government or other opponents. For instance, the Civil Rights movement that was initially peaceful then saw the Black Panthers using violent tactics to secure the movement (Tran, 2017). Social media activism is excellent in showing solidarity and increasing awareness of particular issues through the use of campaigns and hashtags. With the help of the Internet and social media platforms, people are able to support the movement and put pressure on the government or other resisting parties (Reid & Sehl, 2020). However, the majority of online activists who join the trend are not really active, whereas to be successful, the social media campaign should be backed with donations and concrete actions.

References

Bethke, F. S., & Pinckney, J. (2019). Nonviolent resistance and the quality of democracy. Conflict Management and Peace Science, 1-21. Web.

Reid, A., & Sehl, K. (2020). Genuine social media activism: A guide for going beyond the hashtag. Hootsuite. Web.

Tran, K. (2017). Four ways we need to rethink violence and activism today. Everyday Feminism. Web.

The United States is known for its aggressive politics that played a crucial part in its history up to the modern days. Nowadays, these intentions are covered under the guise of national security and the safety of its citizens. However, this notion led to the creation of numerous anti-war movements, which expose the core of this issue. I believe that anti-war activism is essential in stopping the politicians who promote unnecessary conflicts as it draws public attention to the underlying causes of modern armed conflicts.

The United States needs to accept the fact that its expansionism politics are outdated and are against the ideals of the nation. In the past, politicians have promoted pro-war views among people by ensuring them that the United States provides humanitarian interventions and protects human rights across the globe (Witham 59). In truth, the country benefits greatly from providing military assistance in armed conflicts outside of its territory since it often gains leverage and resources (Witham 53). They might help the country to gain benefits from participation, yet these effects are short-term. Witham states that American war-making has often been justified in practical rather than moral terms (61). The cause for recent conflicts does not serve the national interests. Instead, it is harmful for the nation, as it creates new enemies whose hatred stems from the perception of the United States as the aggressor (Witham 60). I believe that it is hypocritical to remain pro-war for any cause other than defending the nation from a direct threat.

Work Cited

Witham, N. Domestic politics and antiwar activism. At war: The military and American culture in the twentieth century and beyond, edited by D. Kieran and E. Martini, Rutgers University Press, 2018, pp. 47-66.

Introduction

Corruption is one of Brazils primary problems that significantly obstruct economic development and hinder the quality of life in the country. The government officials exploit its national and social resources but use the money for themselves instead of making positive changes. As a result of this injustice, many groups of people form activist communities to stand against corruption. For instance, environmental activists protest against the exploitation of resources in the Amazon and unjust killings of rural and indigenous people. It is a relevant problem connected with corruption and power abuse. The current essay examines Brazils background to understand the issue of corruption and provides a thorough analysis of the discourse community of environmental activists.

Background Analysis

Most people know Brazil due to its rainforests, Carnaval, beautiful beaches, soccer, and one of the worlds seven wonders. However, many are unaware that the country is much more than that. Brazil is the 5th largest and most populated country in the world. It is the largest country in Latin America, bordering every country in South America except for Chile and Ecuador. Due to its great size and population, Brazil is the 9th largest economy in the world.

The countrys biggest trading partners are China, the USA, and Argentina. They export 22% to China, 12% to the USA and 8% to Argentina. Brazil is the 4th largest agricultural explorer in the world; it is the biggest coffee and soybean exporter in the world and also a major exporter of wheat and rice. Brazils two biggest trading partners have been having trading problems with each other recently. China imposed a 25% tariff on American farm goods. According to CNBC, China is the worlds largest consumer of soybeans and accounted for 60% of U.S. soybean exports before the trade dispute pulled shipment levels down. Even though it is very unfortunate that this trade war is happening, Brazil has nothing to lose and a lot to gain from it. Brazil and China have a great trading relationship, and they should be using that to their advantage now.

When looking at Brazils 9th largest economy in the world ranking, it misleads people into thinking that the country has a very low poverty rate with excellent living standards. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Brazil suffers from big scarcity problems. There is a clear gap between the rich and the poor. The wealthiest 10% earn 42.7% of the nations income, compared to the poorest 34%, which earns just 1.2% of it. Brazils housing deficit of 7 million directly affects 20% of Brazilians that live in inadequate housing. According to the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 11.18% of the population is below the poverty line. They live in slums, known as favelas, that are located in metropolitan areas of neglected land.

Corruption Problems

The country has recently gone through the biggest corruption scandal of its history and arguably the world, known as Operation Car Wash. After completing five years of the ongoing investigation, The Public Prosecutors Office hopes to recuperate almost 10 billion dollars that were taken away by corruption. Alongside all the money, the operation has convicted 155 people, including former president Luis Inacio da Silva, also known as Lula, who spent 580 days in jail.

Brazil has resources  it simply needs good leadership and intelligence to take the country to a different level. Brazil has an evident potential to be one of the worlds top countries with proper guidance. However, Brazils bad corruption and crime reputation have made the 2014 World Cup host and 2016 Olympics Host not be visited by the number of tourists that they should have. Brazil is not even in the top 20 most visited countries in the world. Tourism numbers, in fact, are dropping. If President Bolsonaro is able to pass more reforms by the end of his term, focus on international trade of the countrys great products, invest in the faster exploration of pre-salt, and give Brazilians better education, health care, and security. Just like dominos, all should fall into place.

Bolsonaros Background

Brazil had its first election after President Roussefs impeachment; President Jair Bolsonaro from the conservative Social Liberal Party would replace President Temer. President Bolsonaros biggest goal in his campaign was to fight corruption. A veteran in politics since 1988, Bolsonaro was famous for being one of the few known politicians in Brazil, never to be involved in a corruption scandal. Brazil suddenly went from 15 years of left-winged corrupt government to a strongly opinionated conservative veteran with no history of corruption in his 30 years in politics. Clearly, most Brazilians were done with corruption and wanted a drastic change.

On October 24, 2019, Bolsonaro finally passed the pension reform. According to BBC News, The approval of the bill is a major victory for President Jair Bolsonaro after decades of failed attempts to reform Brazils social security system. Official data suggests that had it not been passed, public debt would have skyrocketed. The reform made the retirement age 65 for men and 62 for women. It has also included an increase in the workers pension and special rules for the federal police, teachers, rural workers, and prison guards. Such changes are predicted to save Brazil $195 billion over the next ten years. The leading cause of the countrys large budget deficit was the high cost of the pension system.

Environmental Activists Discourse Community

Nevertheless, despite the recent efforts in the battle against corruption and power abuse, these problems are still persistent throughout the whole country. The news of unjust killings of rural residents and environmental activists is very common in Brazil (Brown). Usually, these people actively protest against corruption, deforestation, and other unlawful methods that government uses. As a result, environmental activists form a community united by one goal to protect the country and prevent further destruction.

Community Discourse Overview

However, to fully understand whether environmental activists form a discourse community (DC), it is necessary to examine the group in greater detail. John Swales has proposed eight primary criteria to define a DC  agreed goals, intercommunication, participatory mechanisms, various genres to advance agenda, specific lexis, necessary expertise, silential relations, and settled expectations (Swales). It is a large range of criteria that concern various parameters of the community. However, according to the author, discourse communities differ from typical groups of people, only united by the same goal (Swales). It means that additional analysis is necessary to learn the nature of the examined group.

Methodology

The next step of analysis is to collect data about environmental activists in Brazil to understand whether they meet the criteria. First, the community has the same set of goals that all members strive for  to stop corruption and prevent environmental and social damage. The written data supports this idea, and many sources show the dedication of environmental activists to prevent crime, even in fear of death (Brown; Conectas). Most of the activism materials are online public-facing writings that attract attention to the problem and ask for additional support. They demonstrate the communitys goals and how members communicate with each other and the rest of the world, meaning that environmental activists satisfy the first and second criteria of Swales definition. Additionally, internal writing, such as the report from WWF, shows the relevance of environmental problems in Brazil and how corruption affects them (Environmental Problems). As a result, the usage of various genres to advance community agenda also satisfies the third criterium of the framework.

Specific lexis is one of the factors that is not the same for all members of the community. However, a large part of environmental and political activists in Brazil are indigenous people whose land, culture, and language are in immediate danger because of corruption and power abuse (Brown). These small sub-communities all have distinct languages, specific lexis, and even silential relationships. For instance, Tangãi Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau describes the way of life in the Tarilândia area and explains how the government abuses the rights of indigenous people (Brown). He also states that this attitude makes people sad and angry, showing the shared set of values in the community (Brown). It is unfortunate that corruption, deaths, and abuse unite the community, but it is a harsh reality that many indigenous people and environmental activists face in Brazil.

Lastly, data collection through interviews is an effective way to learn more about the community. Eloy Terena is a notable activist of environmental rights who fights against land demarcation and unlawful exploitation of natural resources (Brazão et al.). Moreover, he is a part of the indigenous sub-community that has unique lexis, expertise in the problem, and silential relationships with other members (Brazão et al.). He discusses his involvement in the Articulation of the Indigenous peoples of Brazil (APIB) and other organizations that provide space for improving environmental rights. As a result, it is clear that he, as a member of the community, has certain expectations about how to prevent corruption, preserve nature, and protect indigenous peoples in Brazil.

Discussion and Implications

The analysis has shown that the general community of environmental activists in Brazil is unlikely to be a discourse community due to a lack of specific lexis. According to Swales, it is an important factor that should be present in the community to define it as a DC. However, smaller communities, such as indigenous environmental activists, meet all criteria of the Swales framework. They have distinct languages, lexis, and a rich culture to further unite them against corruption and power abuse in Brazil.

Conclusion

In summary, it is safe to assume that indigenous environmental activists constitute a discourse community, while the general community of environmental activists might not meet all criteria of a DC. Particularly, the interview with Eloy Terena shows the dedication of the group, the agreed set of goals, and the participatory mechanisms of the DC. Moreover, the problems of corruption, unlawful killings of activists and indigenous people, and the exploitation of natural resources remain highly relevant in Brazil. Therefore, the country needs such communities as environmental activists that can unite against the common danger that threatens the whole country.

Reflection

In the current course, I have learned a lot about writing and academic discourse. I have also understood that writing is a very complicated process, and I currently lack many competencies to become a good writer. However, it also means that there is room for improvement, and I am looking forward to developing my skills in the future. I believe that growing as a writer will help me in my professional and personal growth since it stimulates critical thinking and problem-solving.

I would also like to elaborate on various writing rules and styles, which are, to my surprise, easy-to-understand but very complicated to execute. In his essay, Kurt Vonnegut discussed seven primary recommendations for writers on how to keep the audience interested in the text. Most of them are straightforward, such as do not ramble, keep it simple, sound like yourself (Kurt Vonnegut: How to Write with Style). Moreover, I do agree with all his recommendations for good writing. However, I found it very challenging to actually apply these principles in my works because it is so easy to stray away from the topic and forget the main message of the essay. In this sense, I think that my work as a writer does not quite fit Vonneguts recommendations, but I agree that I need to work more on these major principles of writing.

Additionally, some of Vonneguts principles are less straightforward, and I have not realized them before. For instance, the advice pity the readers explains that all readers are different and might not understand what the writer wants to convey (Kurt Vonnegut: How to Write with Style). It means that I should always think about the intended audience when composing my essays and other forms of writing. This advice was not evident to me before reading Vonneguts principles, and I always focused only on content and not how people might perceive it. However, after reflecting on this recommendation, it is obvious that everyone is different and processes information in a unique manner. It means that I need to consider the intended audience to become a better writer.

Considering specific essays, I would say that my worst and best essay is the work about the discourse communities. I did not fully understand the requirements for the essay at first and missed the central point of the assignment, making it my weakest work. However, I believe that I was able to revise it after the feedback to make it, hopefully, appropriate for the assignment objectives. It made me realize the importance of revision, proofreading, and feedback of another person who has a different perspective on the topic. It is easy for me to forget about the initial topic and discuss other themes in the essay. So, I should pay more attention to the assignment instructions, the essays structure, and proofreading to become a better writer.

In summary, I think I have become a better writer over the period of the course, but I do need more practice. Specifically, my understanding of writing principles and focus on the main message of the essay has improved. I might not always be able to implement them in practice, but I understand the theoretical background now. Additionally, they are the factors that I intend to focus on to develop as a writer. After all, it is impossible to become good at writing if I cannot convey the main point of the essay to the readers.

Works Cited

Brazão, Marianna et al. Interview with Eloy Terena, Indigenous Land Rights Activist in Brazil. Wilson Center, Web.

Brown, Sarah. In Brazil, an Indigenous Land Defenders Unsolved Killing is the Deadly Norm. Mongabay, Web.

Conectas. Brazil is the Country that Most Kills Land Activists, According to Report by Global Witness. Web.

Environmental Problems in Brazil. WWF, n.d., Web.

Kurt Vonnegut: How to Write with Style. FS Blog, n.d., Web.

Swales, John. Reflections on the Concept of Discourse Community. Open Edition Journals, 2016, pp. 7-19. Web.

Introduction

Sports have evolved, with competition being at its highest point in history in this decade. We live in a decade where athletics significantly impacts the social and political world. They have played a crucial role in uniting different races and ethnicities. The sports arena is the only place where the world connects, with the main objective being to promote fair competition and cohesion. Governments have invested in infrastructure and advertisements for competitive sports.

Sports events such as the Olympics have played a big part in bringing awareness about different cultures and creating cohesion among countries. Racial discrimination has hit the world of sports in the past, and although it is still being experienced, significant milestones have been reached in this decade (Gervis et al. 453). Discrimination in the world of sports has called for activism from different players in the sports fraternity. Activism can be defined as the use of ones name or brand to make a positive impact in society by actively campaigning against certain issues in society with the aim of creating change. Athlete activism can be described as using an athletes name to make a difference in society.

The paper seeks to analyze the role of athlete activists in society. It analyzes the role of Naomi Osaka, a professional tennis player in creating awareness about different challenges that face society. Osaka is a young athlete of Japanese origin living in the US who has been vocal in creating awareness about some of the challenges that athletes face in the sports profession and some of the issues, such as racial discrimination in society (Gervis et al. 455). Her braveness and courage make her a good example of how athletes play a big role in activism.

The paper highlights major events that have happened in the life of Naomi Osaka as an athlete and the impacts of her activism against atrocities in society. The first part analyzes a prevalent issue in society and her role of her as an athlete activist. This part demonstrates the role of athlete activists in society and the impact they create. Secondly, the paper describes some of the challenges athletes face in their profession and the impact that athlete activists have on addressing these challenges. Finally, the paper analyzes the role of the media and support systems in the sports profession.

Naomi Osaka on Discrimination

Naomi Osaka is one of the most renowned athletes that have been advocating against discrimination within the sports world and society. As a famous professional tennis player, she uses her name and brand to make a difference in the world. She has been calling out inequality in the country since she joined professional tennis. Recently in 2018, the young athlete left a significant tennis tournament citing racial discrimination as the cause of her exit (Feitelberg 66). She was protesting against police brutality after an incident where a black male citizen was murdered by the police in the US. She is a black woman living in the US, where racial discrimination is prevalent. The young athlete commented that she dropped out of the tournament as she felt that more crucial matters needed attention (Feitelberg 68). Her exit caused an uproar from different players in the sports world, and more athletes joined her in the protest.

One event led to a string of events around the world of sports and athletics. Naomi Osaka sparked the conversation on racial discrimination around the world. The black lives matter movement gained popularity on different platforms and has been used to rally for justice against discrimination against black citizens in the country. In 2020, the National Basketball Association featured the black lives matter call on their basketball courts and merchandise (Calow, Emma 9). Different teams also highlighted the movement on their jerseys and on the court in protest of the murder of Jacob Blake, a black citizen who was murdered in the US by the police (Walker et al. 215). The NBA teams also refused to play their playoff games in protest of the increased racial discrimination around the country, demonstrating the power that athletes have in the social world.

Mental Health

Naomi Osaka has hit the headlines on many occasions due to her braveness and stand on essential matters neglected by governments and the sports fraternity. Recently, she came out to talk about the mental challenges that athletes face (Walker et al. 215). Although athletes are seen as happy people enjoying life, a lot is hidden from the public. To cope with the ever-growing competition in sports, athletes have to overcome immense pressure from their sponsors and trainers. As the pressure continues to grow, most of these athletes succumb to mental health issues. According to Osaka, many athletes fear coming out to speak about their struggles (Walker et al. 216). In an interview, Naomi broke down and revealed that she no longer enjoys playing tennis. As an athlete activist, Naomi encouraged athletes to consider their mental health over victory in the field. She used her break from competitions to insist on the importance of keeping mental health in check.

Mental health well-being is an issue that cuts across all disciplines. Keeping mental well-being in check should always be a top priority for every individual, and support systems should be availed for individuals suffering from mental health disorders. Sports sponsors and organizers should prioritize emotional training with the same emphasis on physical activity. Naomi claims that athletes are constantly under pressure to perform, but their mental health is not considered (Gervis et al. 459). The challenges have been witnessed in all sports disciplines, and many athletes have promoted and emphasized the issue. However, the leading players in this issue are the sponsors and coaches who constantly pressure their athletes to seek recognition and money gains.

With many athletes speaking out about their mental struggles, responsible organizations are under pressure to implement policies on mental health. Such has been done by Penn Athletics, where they offer mental support for their athletes through the Sports Performance Department (Henriksen et al. 405). This initiative ensures that the athletes are physically and mentally in shape. In my opinion, this should be a forefront issue for every individual, irrespective of profession. Depression is a mental health disorder that is neglected in society. It is a crucial topic of discussion that does not receive the recognition and attention it deserves (Henriksen et al. 407). Naomi Osaka commented in an interview that the sports fraternity had neglected this topic reflecting on what happens in society. Many athletes have openly spoken about their struggles with cognitive challenges to create awareness among athletes that it is okay to seek psychological assistance.

Pressure for Performance

Athlete activism has faced criticism from the public since athletes are viewed as entertainers. Many people view sports and athletics as a source of entertainment by many people without considering the people who struggle to stage that entertainment. In most of her interviews, Osaka insists that their sponsors and fans expect athletes to be at their best every time without considering their life struggles (Feitelberg 68). Sports fans make the profession entertaining in many aspects. However, they are responsible for the tribulations that most athletes undergo in their daily routines. They have to put up an excellent performance to quench the thirst for entertainment from their fans (Feitelberg 71). With that in mind, an athlete should be mentored and encouraged to promote their well-being. Young athletes should be nurtured to be self-aware and taught how to deal with pressure from different departments in their profession. As an athlete, recent incidents have significantly impacted my career. I know when to take a break from sports and when to give my fans what they want. A balance between these two is essential for every athlete because it helps avoid future mental disorders.

Support from Management

As an athlete, sponsorship from popular brands is a significant achievement. Most popular athletes have huge sponsorship deals with big brand names. Following her incident in the 2018 tennis tournament, there was criticism from the media and the public about her conduct (Calow, Emma 17). Many people expected her sponsors to terminate their sponsorships, but they stood by her side. Her courage drew a large support base from her sponsors. However, the support from her sponsors meant that the impact she had was above any of the conditions of her contract. Big brands avoid being dragged through public scandals for fear of losing their reputation (Henriksen et al. 393). However, these brands take the risk when the cause is greater than the risk. As an athlete, the impact of your activism is felt around the world. Athletes should endeavor to make a difference for a cause in every aspect of their professionalism. Naomi had a significant impact in that big brands compromised their image to support her call.

The media is a critical player in an athletes success in the social world. Some people argue that it is an athletes job to face the media. With this argument, it is clear that the press and public have big expectations from athletes. The media is responsible for creating or destroying an athletes image in society. To face the media takes courage since whatever you say can be twisted and used against you. Naomi Osaka knew how to handle the media during her career (Prasad 1). Whenever controversies arose, she was never seen around media personalities. People believe what the media feeds them without the need for evidence. Athletes have faced depression and social anxiety in this decade at the hands of the media. After her loss to Naomi Osaka in the finals, Serena Williams burst into tears because she termed theft from the umpire.

However, the main highlight of the day was when she confronted the referee. She was fined for the conduct, but what angered her was the stereotype that was being spread that black women should not get angry. Since the 19th century, this stereotype has existed when black women were not expected to push back when oppressed (Prasad 1). After the final, her image was in ruins and a cartoon depicting this myth circulated all over the media. After delivering her baby, Serena had challenges getting her top performance back on track, and the press was on her back, trying to destroy her reputation. Some argued that she should quit, retire from sports, and concentrate on her family. This tore her down to the extent that she fell into depression despite the blessing of having a newborn child. It takes courage to get up and stand against such atrocities against athletes.

With such treatment, an athlete needs to know how to handle pressure from the media. Stories in the media are responsible for some of these athletes falling into depression and anxiety. In the same final, the winner, Osaka, received jeers and negative comments from the stands. After monetizing their stories, the media will always look for loopholes in an athletes personality to create captivating stories that pay huge (Calow, Emma 5). Being a young athlete, Osaka has mastered ways to deal with the pressures in the sports world. Her activism has faced criticism even from fellow athletes, but she has always stood her ground.

Athlete activists have been seen supporting each other whenever controversies arise around any player. Such kind of support is what every athlete needs to propel their career. In 2020 in a soccer match, one of the black players was racially abused by a match official and what happened next took the fans by surprise. Players from both teams refused to continue with the match in solidarity with the racially abused player (Calow, Emma 3). Soccer fans worldwide sent the affected player messages encouraging him to push through the incident and concentrate on his soccer career. They praised his role in the event and in taking charge of the protests. With enough support, an athletes well-being is preserved. I would advise all sports disciplines to take control in supporting their athletes against atrocities against them from the fan base or other parties involved in sports. A call for policies protecting athletes and their managers from bullying should be drafted and enforced for the industrys growth.

Athletes play a big part in modeling future generations. They act as role models to the upcoming athletes in academics. They are the face of the sports industry, and having a positive impact on society matters motivates other sectors to follow suit. Sports are involved in almost every societys development. Different professions have supported the sports profession during this decade than in any other decade, from artists attending sporting events to politicians endorsing sports personalities (Doyle 1). The sports discipline is a multicultural sector that has enormously impacted society. Progress can be witnessed as different industries collaborate with sports personalities to spread awareness on various issues.

Activism cuts across the board and sports activists play a role in ensuring that the well-being of non-athletes is preserved. Across Europe and The Americas, many sporting teams come together to support health facilities within their locality. They have stepped out of their profession to ensure that the wellness of members of society is promoted. Athlete activism does not necessarily have to be within the sports docket, as evidenced by worldwide protests against police brutality in the US by sports personalities (Doyle 1). Naomi Osaka has set the pace for other activists protesting against police brutality.

Activists have come out to stamp their stand against different atrocities in the current decade. The recent war between Russia and Ukraine has caused an uproar from many activists citing the violation of human rights. Sports teams and athletes have promoted awareness about the issue through social media platforms and merchandise. This has put pressure on Russia since worldwide is watching (Henriksen et al. 402). Sports and athletics have worldwide coverage making them a better channel to spread information. Millions of people watch a single sporting event every minute. Therefore, a simple message can be circulated every minute in the media and received worldwide simultaneously. Using sporting events to promote awareness of different issues has proven effective in recent times.

Sporting events such as the World cup and the Olympics have comprehensive coverage. I would advocate for such platforms to be used to promote human rights and other vital issues in society. Athlete activists should take advantage of such platforms to promote culture, mental health, well-being, and racial discrimination, among other significant challenges facing humanity. The events bring different activists together who should take the opportunity to collaborate and create a strong campaign about specific issues that governments do not talk about (Henriksen et al. 407). The collaboration between athletes from different disciplines encourages the world and creates an urgency on particular matters. Racial discrimination is the most prevalent challenge in our current society, and such platforms where many cultures and races converge to compete should be utilized to tackle this issue.

Naomi Osaka is of Japanese origin but lives in the US, making her susceptible to racial profiling and discrimination. Through her active involvement in the protest against police brutality and racial discrimination, she has empowered many women to stand for their human rights and demonstrated how sports and athletics are affected by such issues. Athletes should be taught to be societal leaders rather than trained to be the best in their disciplines (Henriksen et al. 395). With leadership comes responsibility, and an athlete nurtured to be a leader learns responsibility. Learning institutions factor in raising professionals and neglect the crucial aspect of leadership. Sports activists are leaders that do not receive enough recognition. With recent developments in sports, leadership and responsibility are being instilled in young athletes through multi-departmental programs.

Conclusion

Athlete activism is the most used method in promoting awareness about specific issues in society. The rise of discrimination in the sports world has called for the urgency of creating awareness across all sports disciplines. Athlete activists have had their voices on different issues that most people avoid talking about. Naomi Osaka has gained popularity due to her stand against police brutality and racial discrimination in the United States of America. She is among the few sports personalities that have come out in protest of issues that most athletes fear speaking out about. She is an example of what leadership and self-awareness in sports should be.

As an athlete, I am challenged to stand for my rights and mental well-being despite the pressure from society. I would urge every athlete to emulate famous activists who stand their ground against discrimination in the sports world. Sports should not only be about entertainment and money but also responsibility. We are responsible for our well-being and image, and balancing between these two is a challenge that every athlete is faced with. The fame that comes with being an athlete should not blind an athlete to thinking that they have the support of everyone because the media can be an athletes enemy.

Works Cited

Calow, Emma. Well, what was the message you got?: The discursive power of Naomi Osaka and her peaceful protest at the 2020 US Open. European Journal for Sport and Society (2021): 1-21.

Doyle, J. Newcastle United fans send message to Demba Ba following racism incident during PSG clash. 2020, Chronicle Live.

Feitelberg, Rosemary. Naomi Osaka Exits Tennis Tournament over Racial Injustice, Western & Southern Open Pauses Play. 2020, Yahoo.

Gervis, Misia, Helen Pickford, and Thomas Hau. Professional footballers association counselors perceptions of the role long-term injury plays in mental health issues presented by current and former players. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology 13.3 (2019): 451-468.

Henriksen, Kristoffer, et al. Athlete mental health in the Olympic/Paralympic quadrennium: a multi-societal consensus statement. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology 18.3 (2020): 391-408.

Prasad, R. Serena Williams and the trope of the angry black woman. 2018, BBC News.

Walker, Isobel, et al. Mental health among elite sportspeople: Lessons for medical education. Medical Teacher 44.2 (2022): 214-216.