Revolution vs. Popularity

Why Purpose Must Come Before Popularity

Singing Their Songs- Elizabeth Catlett 1992

We live in a digital age. Numbers matter. However, when your business is people, it has to be more than numbers. Every person is human. They can’t be seen as a commodity. If we start looking at people like this, we are no better than the oppressors and oppressive systems we fight against. How can we determine when we are building a following, and not a movement? It starts with one question.

This question is for everyone that’s ever called themselves an activist and advocate, civil rights seeker, social justice pursuiter, or just seeker for the good of the people… why are you here?

This is a question that I always say anyone who is actively in the pursuit of justice or in the fight against oppression needs to ask themselves. I think that most people would have a gut or hip reaction answer that would sound like perfection. However, this question is one that needs to go deeper than the surface when looking for the answer. Let me explain.

Now, there are some people who joined this just for recognition; that was their objective from day one, and they have not steered from that path. I’m not talking to them. I’m talking to those of us that sincerely got into this work out of empathy, compassion, and the sense of duty that comes along with fighting for what is right, not only for ourselves, but for those that cannot fight for themselves.

We are all human beings, and though our intentions are often good, they can get muddled in the mix of things. One could start out totally sincerely, but human nature could take over and start to pollute the work that they do, however slight.

And please know that I’m not standing on a soapbox or sitting on a high horse looking down on anyone as I say these things because I myself ask myself this question periodically, especially if I notice something in my behavior that doesn’t align with what is needed to win this fight against injustice.

Living in a digital age adds to the stress that can come with trying to run a sincere platform with sincere intentions. Everyone knows that the more views that you have, the more likes that you have, the more subscriptions or the more followers you have, do matter… to a certain extent. Having a larger number of followers means that the things that you are putting out are reaching more eyes and it has more visibility, and this is something that anyone who does this work hopes to have: visibility on the problems so that they can be conquered.

But one must be very careful not to begin to pursue followers and forget the work that they’re doing and why. It could be frustrating to see other platforms that aren’t doing the work as much as you feel you are getting a lot of attention and credit, but you cannot focus on that lane. You must stay focused on your own. We must keep the sincerity in our fight and sincerity in our heart to pursue the things that we do from an unselfish standpoint.

Revolution in Our Lifetime- Emory Douglas, 1970

Often people call me because of what I do and the first thing that they say to try to sell themselves is “You’re gonna love this story it’s gonna make us go viral” or “ You’re gonna love this story. It’s gonna put you on the map…” I always correct them not just for them, but for me. While reminding them that they’re more than just the story, I am reminding myself. I am actively training my brain to see people as more than numbers in an environment where numbers count.

I am sure to remind them that it is their interview. It’s not my interview and that they are the ones that it is being done for, and if at any time they are uncomfortable or no longer want to participate, I do not hold their interviews hostage. I delete them even when it hurts. I asked myself, “Why does it hurt?” Now that’s one way to check yourself…The answer may surprise you.

When you pick up a hat to serve the people, you have to make sure that your hat is not crooked, and you have to knock off any dust that might accumulate. You have to remind yourself at times while you’re there. This isn’t just limited to social media or streaming platforms. This can happen person to person, in person, and hurtful things can happen as well. I was in a situation where everyone that I was working with turned against me, and all I was doing was fulfilling the things that were asked for by the group. I felt so betrayed and so hurt that I wanted to quit.

This is when I asked myself, “Why are you here?” The answer was to pursue justice, not to pursue friends. The answer was to hold these systems that do wrong accountable, not to account for how many people like me. In that moment, I realized the importance of asking oneself. “Why am I here?”

At times, what we do is a thankless job; at times, what we do will be picked apart and ostracized by people who aren’t doing a damn thing. We can’t let this stifle us or trifle us. We must push on. We can’t get hyper fixated on the platforms that we’re trying to grow or the numbers that we’re trying to accumulate and likes and views… because it takes away from the genuineness of the fight. It takes away from the integrity of who we are.

So again, I ask you, my brothers and sisters, why are you here?

It comes a time when you must make those tough decisions that go against your triggers and your traumas and you hang up in your bullshit. There are people that I know don’t like me personally; I still share their content because it’s for the greater good. There are a couple of people I don’t like personally, but I still share their content because what they’re doing is legit and needed for the greater good. Why? Because the fight comes before my feelings and because my reason for being here is not to make those that I’m helping have stipulations based on my traumas, triggers, and bullshit.

Periodically asking yourself why you are here will assist you in making sure that you are not chasing fame, a profit, or a viral moment, and if you are honest with yourself, your best may be yet to come. The revolution and pursuit of justice do need numbers. However, it needs integrity, humility, passion, morals, and ethics.

So dear Brother… dear Sister… “Why are you here?”