Prior to getting involved with ACTIVE, I had sparse knowledge on the systemic issues within our country concerning social justice and rarely took the time to educate myself on issues that personally resonated with me. Because of the gaps in my understanding, I was always fearful of initiating dialogues. I felt that my opinions were not valid and I would have to justify my stances. Without knowing the history or background of why these problems exist in our society, I remained oblivious and maintained a mainstream way of viewing social justice.

 

The greatest part of my journey with ACTIVE is that I have never felt judged for the beliefs that I embody. I never felt like I was walking behind anyone, but rather we are all learning together as a collective community. Being uncomfortable is part of the process. We respect one another while engaging in stimulating yet challenging dialogues centered around issues that either affect us directly, indirectly, or act against human rights. As the weeks went on, we only dove deeper into understanding how we could make an impact and how we could influence others to do the same. These interactions and experiences are one-of-a-kind and unique to every individual and all I have to say is that it's been enriching for me. Learning and unlearning happen simultaneously.