It can be difficult for activists to maintain happiness in the midst of social change, said Thea Monyee, a mental health advocate, during a Tuesday San Jose State Zoom webinar presented by the Cesar Chavez Community Action Center (CCCAC).
During the webinar called “Sustaining Joy In The Midst Of Social Change: Bridging Mental Health & Activism,” Monyee, an artist and licensed marriage and family therapist, discussed factors that make activism difficult.
“I know for me, my activist awakening came from pain. It came through, hurt and harm,” Monyee said. “But then I realized I needed to be in this space . . . of what I wanted to build, not just what I wanted to destroy, I had to have a plan for after.”
Monyee is a Black woman creator and has appeared on TV networks including HBO, BET, Spectrum, OWN, Fox Soul and TV One, according to her website.
She is also the host of “Shaping the Shift,” a podcast about living through periods of change and uncertainty.
Monyee said practicing mindfulness and mental reminders about self-liberation is important for activists to dismantle oppressive power structures.
“Practice freedom now,” Monyee said. “I’m not waiting to be free or emancipated. I’m not waiting for a law or a policy. I’m not waiting for anybody. I am free.”
She said feelings of inadequacy and incapability are common among student activists and require inner work to overcome.
Diana Victa, the CCCAC department manager, said being an activist can be tiring.
“A lot of the time as activists or social justice leaders, we’re so immersed in the work that we forget to live for the work that we’re doing,” Victa said during the webinar.
Monyee said she recommends asking self-analyzing questions including “does this bring me joy?” in everyday situations.
“It’s a question that excavates choice and power and exploration, which are all things that liberated people do,” Monyee said.
Lauryn Carter, a nutrition and food science junior, said listening to music allows her to practice mindfulness while battling everyday stress.
“I play a good playlist and meditate which helps me become more aware of myself and my thoughts,” Carter said in a phone call. “It can be liberating to put my airpods on.”
Monyee said diverse forms of activism including writing and behind-the-scenes organization is fundamental for a movement to thrive and grow.
“Just because we’re in the activist space doesn’t mean we don’t mimic the systems that we are trying to dismantle,” Monyee said. “We are in a systemic space that has determined certain groups more important than others.”
Political science senior Gabriella Keil said she incorporates politics and activism in her art and photography to destress.
“It helps ease the mind by just putting my feelings about everything into an art piece,” Keil said in a phone call. “I can only watch the news for so long. I think just realizing how much you can take on is important.”
