Description
The world today is full of deep problems that feel overwhelming. Every day, we hear stories of injustice, inequality, violence, and environmental crisis. Millions of people wish for change but wonder if their single voice or effort can matter. The truth is that change has never come from one hero alone. It has always come from ordinary people who decided to act, joined together, and refused to give up. Shaun King’s message in Make Change is simple but powerful: real progress begins when individuals take responsibility to do something.
History teaches us that progress is never a straight line. It is not true that humanity always moves toward peace, fairness, and freedom. Instead, history swings back and forth, like a wave. There are moments of justice and growth, followed by periods of oppression and backlash. After the Civil War, for example, slavery was abolished, but soon Jim Crow laws brought back oppression in another form. Even today, progress is often followed by resistance. These patterns remind us that positive change is fragile and must always be defended. It does not happen by chance. It happens when people organize, push forward, and fight for it.
What inspires us to fight? Often, it comes from our own life stories. People rarely choose their causes by accident. Instead, they are shaped by personal experience, pain, or a strong sense of identity. Shaun King’s own story began in high school, when he was violently attacked by a group of white classmates simply because of his race. That trauma left him with scars but also with a mission: to dedicate his life to justice. For others, the cause may be different—healthcare, climate, poverty, or education—but the spark usually comes from something deeply personal. Your story shapes your passion.
Once you know what matters to you, the next step is to focus. The world has thousands of problems, and no one can solve them all. The most effective change happens when people choose one cause they care about most and commit themselves to it. That does not mean ignoring other issues, but it means giving your energy, time, and resources to one mission. Excuses are easy to find—too young, too old, too busy, not smart enough—but they are all false barriers. Real change has always been driven by people who refused to let excuses stop them. If a 16-year-old like Greta Thunberg can launch a global climate movement, or a 90-year-old like Harry Belafonte can still speak out for justice, then anyone can contribute.
Getting started can feel uncertain, but the first steps are usually simple. Look for organizations already working on the issue you care about. Join them as a volunteer. Show up, even if the tasks seem small at first—passing out flyers, making phone calls, or helping with paperwork. These may not look glamorous, but they are the backbone of real movements. Over time, you will discover your unique gift, whether it is writing, speaking, organizing, or creative work. Every skill has value, and movements succeed when people bring their diverse talents together.
But individuals alone are not enough. Successful movements always have three things: energized people, good organization, and a solid plan. Passion alone cannot defeat powerful systems. History shows that when ordinary people gather in large numbers, coordinate their actions, and follow a clear strategy, they can make governments and institutions listen. The civil rights movement is one example: it was not just protests or speeches, but careful planning, leadership, and alliances that made it successful. Likewise, modern campaigns succeed when they combine passion with structure and strategy.
Failure, however, is part of the journey. No activist wins every battle. In fact, failure is more common than success. But every loss can teach valuable lessons. Early defeats often sharpen strategies, improve messaging, and strengthen resilience. Shaun King’s organization, Real Justice, experienced both big victories and painful losses when working to elect progressive district attorneys. The failures were disappointing, but they also showed what needed to change in their approach. Success often comes after a string of failures, but even one victory can outweigh many setbacks.
To sustain this long fight, self-care is crucial. Many activists burn out because they give too much of themselves and never rest. But lasting change requires stamina. Protecting your mental health, setting boundaries, and taking breaks are not acts of weakness. They are necessary for survival. As poet Audre Lorde said, caring for yourself is not self-indulgence; it is self-preservation, and in the struggle for justice, that is itself a radical act.
Another truth about change is that it will never come from the systems themselves. The structures of government, economy, and power were not built to be fair for everyone. They were designed to protect the interests of a small group of privileged people. That means waiting for those in power to “fix the system” is pointless. They benefit from the way things are and have no reason to change it. Instead, it is up to ordinary people to push back, challenge injustice, and demand better. Change comes from pressure, from organizing, and from relentless effort.
Sometimes, even one campaign can save a life. In 2019, when Rodney Reed faced execution in Texas, Shaun King and other activists organized a massive campaign to stop it. At first, it seemed impossible. But through petitions, phone calls, and spreading the truth, they created so much pressure that the execution was halted just days before it was scheduled. Rodney Reed is alive today because people refused to give up. This shows that activism is not only about long-term change but also about immediate human lives.
In the end, the main lesson is clear: change starts with you. No matter who you are, you have the power to contribute. History is not made by chance or by powerful leaders alone. It is made by countless ordinary people who choose to act, who refuse to stay silent, and who keep fighting even when it is hard. Every small act adds to the bigger movement. Together, they create the moments of history that future generations will remember.
So, if you are waiting for the perfect moment to begin, stop waiting. The world needs people now—people who are ready to step forward, pick a cause, and give what they can. Progress will not happen automatically. It will only happen because people like you decide to make it real.
