Do you ever feel like you have no right to call yourself an activist? Do you feel intimidated by entering activist and organizing spaces because you feel like you don’t belong, that you think people will think you aren’t enough?
I often feel that way. I feel like my definition of activist doesn’t fit this narrow definition. I suffer from the narrative of capitalism that tells me that I always have to be doing more to feel like I am enough.
This is imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is an overwhelming feeling of inadequacy, despite contrary evidence of success. It often makes people feel like they are an imposter in a space, and it’s only a matter of time before someone “figures them out”, and lets them go. (I wrote this definition in a piece published in Mixed Mag if you want to take a look!)
With the rise of social media and the visibility and notoriety of the pioneers, it’s so easy to feel like the contributions you make are not enough. Organizers have a level of celebrity nowadays that feels hard to measure up to.
But as I read in Alicia Garza’s book, The Purpose of Power, the movement needs lots of leaders. And we all need to find where we fit to make a real difference.
The movement needs you.
And this is why Liberation is LIT exists. We want to build the millions of leaders needed to sustain movements. You belong here, and we want you to feel confident in your abilities.
I offer three affirmations for you when you experience imposter syndrome:
I am capable of facilitating the change I seek to make in the world
This world needs the gifts I have to share
I am always growing and that is enough
Keep showing up and showing out, friends!
Liberation is Lit 