Activism reconsidered

Although it may be easy to feel helpless about the amount of personal influence one has over the Wesleyan presidential search, let alone the crisis in Sudan or Iraq, one Wesleyan student has found a way to fight her frustration in an individual, hands-on approach to activism. Hwinei Tavenga ’08 has combined her interest in art with her concern for the political situation in her native Zimbabwe. Since winter break, Tavenga has sold over 50 cloth paintings, with the proceeds going to a Zimbabwe-based organization that provides uniforms and textbooks to underprivileged school children.

Tavenga’s project follows a tradition of students achieving political change through creative entrepreneurship, as well as through cooperation with seemingly unlikely allies. In December 2004, a group of four Wesleyan seniors created awareness for the crisis in Darfur by releasing a 12-track AfroBeat CD, which temporarily soared to the top of the iTunes downloads chart. By allying with Apple Computer, Ben & Jerry’s, and Afrobeat musicians, the project was an accessible and ingenious way to engage in activism.

The value the student body places on activism is well-known, but large groups and more visible actions often overshadow quiet, self-initiated projects such as that of Tavenga. Small student projects can be as efficacious as big ones. What is important is personal investment in the issue and, by keeping contributions direct, winning the confidence of local networks and resources.

Indeed, staying active and involved does not necessitate aligning oneself to a larger organization. If the willingness to make time in between class work is combined with a willingness to take advantage of the campus’ diverse talents, it is very possible to contribute on a small scale with visible results.

Tavenga’s project is more proof that imagination and pluck can advance a cause more directly than hours of social change discourse. We commend not only the personal nature of her project, but also the unassuming and modest way in which it was carried out. Passionate activists interested in proving their mettle can look at Tavenga, and also at the current 100 Projects for Peace contest, to see that activism is not always about being the loudest voice in the room, but sometimes it helps to be the most resourceful.