How to Become an Activist (or How to Have the Time of Your Life!)

Activism is everywhere right now – in part because we are in the midst of a revolutionary moment – and people are rising up to ask for the kinds of changes that would make this world more liveable, solve the climate crisis and ensure that Black and Indigenous lives matter. We are in a moment of profound change and many people are wondering – How do I get involved? How do I help make the world the kind of place I wanna live in? Do I just show up at a protest? And so on. Join us for a discussion about the reality of life in activism and organizing. Find tips on how to get involved and how to get things off the ground.

Syrus Marcus Ware is a Vanier scholar, visual artist, activist, curator and educator. Syrus uses painting, installation and performance to explore social justice frameworks and Black activist culture, and he’s shown widely in galleries and festivals across Canada. He is part of the Performance Disability Art Collective and a core-team member of Black Lives Matter – Toronto. He has won several recognitions including the TD Diversity Award 2017, “Best Queer Activist” NOW Magazine 2005, and the Steinert and Ferreiro Award 2012. He is an ABD PhD candidate at York University in the Faculty of Environmental Studies. His ongoing curatorial work includes That’s So Gay (Gladstone Hotel, 2016-2019) and BlacknessYes!/Blockorama.