Everytime I think about the number of youth activists around me, and the amount of commitment they give to the issues they care about, I get this happy feeling inside. It's awesome, it's great, it's just stupendous!!

But you know what the problem is? It's intimidating. I find that we're lacking in a "middle-class" when it comes to activism. We've got those people who are REALLY active, who go out to all the marches, who do a ton of research, and know a ton of people on a certain issue. Then there are those who don't really know....who've picked a "cool" issue and maybe dabbled a little in it to complete their 40hrs of community service that's mandatory in Ontario high schools. But what about those who've had some volunteer experience? But while they may know a decent bit about animal testing, don't know anything about ableism? Or those who want to do something, but don't know what? Or dont' know where to start?

I myself am one of those "middle-class" activists. Less than a year ago, I thought social action was me tutoring a newly immigrated student from Pakistan. Now EVERYDAY, I'm learning so many new things and hearing about so many new issues. And I've learned that there are unlimited ways you can take action against inequality or whatnot.

But it's intimidating. So many people who've been activists for a LONG time often scoff at you if you ask, "what's a union?" or "what does ableism mean?" And it's understandable. When we're caught up in what we're doing, when we're so passionate about something, we often feel that everyone should and DOES know about that thing, too! But that's not true. And that sort of thinking can be really intimidating to newcomers or those who just want to do what they can. I feel that we often lose our greatest allies because we unintentionally close ourselves to them.

So after all my rambling (did that even make sense?), I just want to say simply.....don't forget to open yourself to newbies. Don't forget that people aren't born knowing everything. Knowledge is acquired. And to further a cause, don't shut people out because of their lack of knowledge. Teach them what you know. Then let them make up their mind and decide what to do, if anything at all.