Student Leaders: How to Become an Advocate!
Welcome to my Back-to-School Leadership and Advocacy post! I am super excited to present to you some ways to get your students involved in the censorship battles across America. This post is written in conjunction with the wonderful Da'Taeveyon Daniels, winner of the Sam G. Whitten Award for Intellectual Freedom this past year at the 2024 Texas Library Association Annual Conference:
Here's a bonus for you, Da'Taeveyon has written a Top 5 List for Student Advocacy to educate and elevate student voices in leadership.
As student activists, advocates, organizers, and storytellers, we play a crucial role in shaping the future of our communities and our country. If you're just starting in student advocacy, especially in the fight against book bans, here are five essential tips to help you take a leadership role and inspire action.
1. Educate Yourself and Others
Knowledge is power. Start by understanding the issues at hand—why are books being banned, who is affected, and what are the broader implications? Read widely, attend local meetings, and follow reputable sources to stay informed. Share this knowledge with your peers through social media, school clubs, and informal discussions. Hosting informational sessions or creating easy-to-digest resources can help spread awareness and rally support.
2. Build Strong Coalitions
You don't have to fight alone. Reach out to like-minded students, teachers, parents, and community members to build a coalition. Diverse groups bring different perspectives and strengths, making your advocacy efforts more robust. Organize regular meetings to strategize, share resources, and support each other. Remember, unity is key in amplifying your collective voice and making a significant impact.
Personal Anecdote: I started by bribing my fellow students with food to captivate their attention. With snacks in hand, I reeled them in with an empathetic appeal, showing them the top 10 banned books list released by PEN America. My friends were stunned, frightened, and energized for disruption. Transitioning my approach from food to advocacy was simple. I told them how our identities were at risk of being diminished. We transitioned to where we had the most access: our own library, which was really a fancy coat closet with about four bookcases so close together you'd practically have to become a Kardashian to fit through. We didn't have the books that represented us at a time so trying. But we organized and made our voices heard.
3. Harness the Power of Storytelling
Personal stories are incredibly powerful in advocacy. Share your experiences and those of others who have been affected by book bans. Write blog posts, create videos, or give speeches that highlight the real-life consequences of censorship. Authentic, emotional stories can resonate deeply with audiences and drive home the importance of your cause. Encourage others to share their stories as well, creating a tapestry of voices that illustrate the human side of the issue.
4. Utilize Social Media Strategically
Social media is a powerful tool for modern advocacy. Use platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok to raise awareness, share updates, and mobilize supporters. Create compelling content, such as infographics, videos, and memes, that can be easily shared and spread your message far and wide. Engage with your followers by responding to comments, hosting live discussions, and encouraging them to take action, such as signing petitions or attending rallies.
5. Engage with Policymakers
To create lasting change, it's crucial to engage with those in power. Research your local and state representatives, attend town hall meetings, and schedule appointments to discuss your concerns. Be prepared with facts, personal stories, and clear asks—specific actions you want them to take. Building relationships with policymakers and consistently following up can increase your influence and push your agenda forward. Don’t forget to mobilize your coalition to contact representatives en masse, demonstrating widespread support for your cause.
Bonus Tip: Harness the Power of Intergenerational Partnerships and Education
One of the strengths of advocacy work is the ability to learn from and collaborate with different generations. Intergenerational partnerships can provide a wealth of knowledge, experience, and support. Engage with older activists who have been in the fight for years; their insights can help you avoid common pitfalls and leverage effective strategies. Likewise, educating younger students and bringing them into the fold ensures that the movement continues to grow and thrive. Personal Anecdote: At Student Advocates for Speech (SAS), I experienced firsthand the power of intergenerational partnerships. Working alongside seasoned activists and educators, we bridged the gap between generations, combining fresh perspectives with time-tested strategies. These collaborations enriched our advocacy efforts, making them more dynamic and impactful. Engaging in cross-generational dialogues not only deepened our understanding but also fortified our commitment to the cause.
Bonus Tip: Stay Persistent and Resilient
Advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be setbacks and challenges, but it's essential to stay persistent and resilient. Celebrate small victories, learn from failures, and keep your end goal in sight. Surround yourself with a supportive network and practice self-care to avoid burnout. Remember, your efforts are making a difference, even if progress sometimes feels slow. Educate yourself and others, build strong coalitions, harness the power of storytelling, utilize social media, and engage with policymakers, you can become an effective student advocate. Together, we can stand up against book bans and ensure every student can access diverse and inclusive literature.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 THANK YOU DA'TAEVEYON for such a well-composed action list for upcoming student leaders! Please be sure to keep an eye out for his name, as he will SOAR into success!🥰
In a final celebration of all things student advocacy, please check out this month's TLA Libraries Transform Podcast, where Da'Taeveyon and I dig deeper into student agency. Enjoy!
Here's a bonus for you, Da'Taeveyon has written a Top 5 List for Student Advocacy to educate and elevate student voices in leadership.
As student activists, advocates, organizers, and storytellers, we play a crucial role in shaping the future of our communities and our country. If you're just starting in student advocacy, especially in the fight against book bans, here are five essential tips to help you take a leadership role and inspire action.
1. Educate Yourself and Others
Knowledge is power. Start by understanding the issues at hand—why are books being banned, who is affected, and what are the broader implications? Read widely, attend local meetings, and follow reputable sources to stay informed. Share this knowledge with your peers through social media, school clubs, and informal discussions. Hosting informational sessions or creating easy-to-digest resources can help spread awareness and rally support.
2. Build Strong Coalitions
You don't have to fight alone. Reach out to like-minded students, teachers, parents, and community members to build a coalition. Diverse groups bring different perspectives and strengths, making your advocacy efforts more robust. Organize regular meetings to strategize, share resources, and support each other. Remember, unity is key in amplifying your collective voice and making a significant impact.
Personal Anecdote: I started by bribing my fellow students with food to captivate their attention. With snacks in hand, I reeled them in with an empathetic appeal, showing them the top 10 banned books list released by PEN America. My friends were stunned, frightened, and energized for disruption. Transitioning my approach from food to advocacy was simple. I told them how our identities were at risk of being diminished. We transitioned to where we had the most access: our own library, which was really a fancy coat closet with about four bookcases so close together you'd practically have to become a Kardashian to fit through. We didn't have the books that represented us at a time so trying. But we organized and made our voices heard.
3. Harness the Power of Storytelling
Personal stories are incredibly powerful in advocacy. Share your experiences and those of others who have been affected by book bans. Write blog posts, create videos, or give speeches that highlight the real-life consequences of censorship. Authentic, emotional stories can resonate deeply with audiences and drive home the importance of your cause. Encourage others to share their stories as well, creating a tapestry of voices that illustrate the human side of the issue.
4. Utilize Social Media Strategically
Social media is a powerful tool for modern advocacy. Use platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok to raise awareness, share updates, and mobilize supporters. Create compelling content, such as infographics, videos, and memes, that can be easily shared and spread your message far and wide. Engage with your followers by responding to comments, hosting live discussions, and encouraging them to take action, such as signing petitions or attending rallies.
5. Engage with Policymakers
To create lasting change, it's crucial to engage with those in power. Research your local and state representatives, attend town hall meetings, and schedule appointments to discuss your concerns. Be prepared with facts, personal stories, and clear asks—specific actions you want them to take. Building relationships with policymakers and consistently following up can increase your influence and push your agenda forward. Don’t forget to mobilize your coalition to contact representatives en masse, demonstrating widespread support for your cause.
Bonus Tip: Harness the Power of Intergenerational Partnerships and Education
One of the strengths of advocacy work is the ability to learn from and collaborate with different generations. Intergenerational partnerships can provide a wealth of knowledge, experience, and support. Engage with older activists who have been in the fight for years; their insights can help you avoid common pitfalls and leverage effective strategies. Likewise, educating younger students and bringing them into the fold ensures that the movement continues to grow and thrive. Personal Anecdote: At Student Advocates for Speech (SAS), I experienced firsthand the power of intergenerational partnerships. Working alongside seasoned activists and educators, we bridged the gap between generations, combining fresh perspectives with time-tested strategies. These collaborations enriched our advocacy efforts, making them more dynamic and impactful. Engaging in cross-generational dialogues not only deepened our understanding but also fortified our commitment to the cause.
Bonus Tip: Stay Persistent and Resilient
Advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be setbacks and challenges, but it's essential to stay persistent and resilient. Celebrate small victories, learn from failures, and keep your end goal in sight. Surround yourself with a supportive network and practice self-care to avoid burnout. Remember, your efforts are making a difference, even if progress sometimes feels slow. Educate yourself and others, build strong coalitions, harness the power of storytelling, utilize social media, and engage with policymakers, you can become an effective student advocate. Together, we can stand up against book bans and ensure every student can access diverse and inclusive literature.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 THANK YOU DA'TAEVEYON for such a well-composed action list for upcoming student leaders! Please be sure to keep an eye out for his name, as he will SOAR into success!🥰
In a final celebration of all things student advocacy, please check out this month's TLA Libraries Transform Podcast, where Da'Taeveyon and I dig deeper into student agency. Enjoy!
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