Tag: advocacy

  • Racism and Fascism in America Protest as Poetry

    Racism and Fascism in America Protest as Poetry

    This poem confronts the realities of racism, fascism, and systemic oppression in the United States. Through vivid imagery and raw emotion, it exposes how fear, privilege, and institutional violence shape American life, while highlighting the resilience and voice of marginalized communities.

    “The State of the Dis-United”

    An original poem by: Axton N.O. Mitchell

    Rabid preacher,

    lying through perfect teeth

    straightened by the braces of minorities.

    Speaking of liberty and God,

    sitting there choking on both.

    You draped hate in Stars and Stripes,

    hung pride from every porch post,

    called it patriotism…

    it was merely your fear

    in a pretty JoJo bow.

    Your police hunt.

    Your politicians feed.

    And your children pledge allegiance

    to the god, and to the country,

    that never answered a single prayer

    from the lips of someone “different.”

    You see shelter

    where I see a cage.

    I scream bullets.

    You respond justice.

    Where white is “normal,”

    and everyone else…

    a “problem.”

    I’ve seen your suburbs

    built on

    brown

    and

    black

    bones,

    your schools still teaching how to forget

    by preaching white lies.

    You sell “unity”

    with a Confederate discount,

    while renaming oppression

    “freedom of speech.”

    Your anthem is a siren,

    and every verse

    bleeds red, white, and bruise.

    And still…

    we breathe.

    We march.

    We write.

    Turning every war-won wound

    into witness.

    No fascist flag

    can outshine

    the fire of the people

    they try to silence.

    This poem is born from my lived experience as a trans person navigating a country built on fear, exclusion, and hierarchy. I wrote it to call out the hypocrisy, the violence, and the ways systems crush those they deem “other.” But it’s also a testament to: resilience, survival, and the voices of all marginalized communities. This is me and I stand with you. Every line is a refusal to stay silent, every image a witness to injustice. I wrote it because poetry is my weapon, my witness, and my way of demanding that the world see us, hear us, and reckon with what we endure.

  • Joyful Actions That Promote Change

    Joyful Actions That Promote Change

    Creating meaningful change can feel overwhelming if you’re not sure where to start, but it doesn’t have to be. Change is built through consistent, joyful actions. These are small steps that add up to a bigger impact over time. In this guide, you’ll learn ways to make a difference weekly, monthly, and bimonthly. Each action is explained with practical examples, so no matter your experience or resources, you can start contributing immediately. At the end, you can download 3 full checklists and a bonus checklist for easy reference.

    One of the easiest ways to begin creating an impact is by taking small, weekly actions that are actionable and meaningful. We also added joy to the mix to give a reward to ourselves for becoming the change. For instance, sending a supportive message or email to a minority-led organization might seem simple, but it can make a real difference. Even a brief note like “Hi, I just wanted to thank you for your work; it inspires me…” can boost morale and let these organizations know that their efforts are seen and appreciated.

    Using or purchasing from minority-owned businesses is another small but powerful action. By intentionally supporting products or services from these businesses, you’re directly contributing to economic empowerment. You can find minority-owned businesses through directories like Buy Black, Official Black Wall Street, or even local listings. Even one small purchase counts.

    Learning one new fact about minority histories or cultures each week expands your understanding and counters misinformation. Things like reading an article, watching a short video, or listening to a podcast, then sharing what you learned with a friend. Over time, these small learnings compound into a deeper awareness that influences your daily choices and conversations.

    Calling out or politely correcting biased language or assumptions is another way to take weekly action. It doesn’t need to be confrontational; calmly explaining why a comment is harmful helps educate those around you and encourages accountability. Similarly, sharing a verified minority achievement or resource with someone… like a news story, a blog post, or a social media feature can help amplify important voices and keep these accomplishments visible.

    Self-care also counts as an action. Taking time for yourself by going for a hike, cooking a favorite meal, doing a face mask, getting your nails done, reading a book, or listening to uplifting music can keep you grounded and energized for advocacy. You simply signing an online petition or joining a letter campaign are other ways to use your voice and influence policy. Finally, expressing gratitude publicly or privately to minority changemakers reinforces positive recognition and strengthens community bonds.

    Monthly actions give you a chance to take slightly bigger steps that still fit within a manageable schedule. Participating in a virtual or local minority-supporting event, like a webinar, a virtual or local open mic, a lecture, or a cultural celebration. These expose you to new perspectives and help you connect with the work being done. Things like trying one new minority cultural experience: cooking a traditional dish, exploring music, or viewing art, can be a joyful way to learn and share culture, either with friends or online communities.

    Self-paced online workshops on allyship or cultural understanding are perfect for deeper learning. You can take them on your own schedule, allowing you to reflect and use what you learn at your own pace. Volunteering remotely for advocacy or awareness tasks, such as moderating online discussions, sharing resources, or helping campaigns These let you contribute meaningfully without needing to attend in person.

    By documenting and celebrating a minority achievements by writing a short post, vlogging, or highlighting someone on social media. You spread positivity and recognition. Sending letters or emails to officials advocating for inclusive policies is another actionable step, giving your voice weight in shaping decisions. When you highlight a minority-owned business or creator in your network it increases visibility and supports economic empowerment. Lastly, reflecting on and sharing a story or resource related to minority rights, even in casual conversation or online posts, expands understanding and encourages others to engage.

    Bi-monthly actions involve taking on larger, more flexible commitments that can still be done by anyone. Supporting or amplifying existing minority-led projects or campaigns is one way to have a broader impact. This could mean sharing updates online, signing up for notifications, or contributing in small ways. Promoting scholarship, grant, or resource programs created by minority leaders, expands opportunities for others and can be done digitally.

    When you advocate for systemic change through remote actions, like policy emails or participating in online, you allow anyone a voice in shaping outcomes. Volunteering flexibly for advocacy by things like resource sharing, digital organization, or communications allows you to make an impact when you can. Celebrating minority achievements in your community, either publicly or online, reinforces visibility and encouragement.

    If you can create optional joyful projects to amplify minority voices you have another avenue. You can contribute creatively, write, draw, record, or otherwise produce something meaningful. Implementing a new supportive habit, like sharing resources, mentoring via email, or spotlighting stories, builds consistent impact. Finally, joining or supporting digital coalitions or advocacy groups allows participation in campaigns, discussions, and advocacy initiatives. This connects you to larger networks.

    Occasionally, you might want to take on high-impact actions. This could be going to a protest or rally, signing major petitions, or participating in legislative campaigns. These give your voice significant weight. You may want to call or write officials about urgent minority issues which directly engages policy influence. You may help a family member or friend understand and support minority causes or spread awareness in your immediate community. You may decide to go no-contact with harmful individuals or companies, donate to high-impact minority-led organizations, organize awareness events, or volunteer in person. These all can be transformative actions, and are optional but powerful ways to amplify your impact.

    Change is built through consistent, joyful actions that anyone can take. By following this guide, incorporating weekly, monthly, and bi-monthly steps, and exploring the Bonus Round opportunities, you can make a meaningful difference in supporting minority communities. Start small, celebrate progress, and remember that your actions whether big or small all add up.

    Below are the checklist images to view you can download them for free from my gumroad and Payhip as well.

    Links

    Weekly action list
    Weekly action list
    Monthly action list
    Monthly action list
    Bi monthly action list
    Bimonthly action list
    Bonus actions list
    Bonus actions
  • Who Is Poeaxtry_? Authentic Personal Brand, Advocacy & Creativity.

    Who Is Poeaxtry_? Authentic Personal Brand, Advocacy & Creativity.

    Interviewing Myself: Who Am I?

    Q: What are you about?

    I stand for empathy, kindness, and radical inclusion. I fight for the right to be different and believe every human deserves equality and respect. My morals are rooted in advocacy and dismantling discrimination in all its ugly forms. I was 7 years old. I first remember my mom explaining to me why I shouldn’t treat her clients differently. & from that moment on, I knew bullying was wrong. That is truly sad when you think about the time some of you learned this.

    Q: What hobbies and interests fuel you?

    Poetry, rock hounding, rock tumbling, spell crafting, hiking, kayaking, camping, fishing, and so much more. I thrive in creative flow and nature’s raw energy. I excel in the heat and dirt; when sweat is covering my hair and shirt.

    Q: Outside writing and creating, what excites you?

    Swim, kayak, hang out with my doggy and the kitties. Witchcraft, reading, and playing video games.

    Q: What are you definitely not about?

    Bullies, especially adult ones. Racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, fascism. You know what, actually, fuck all phobias and ism bullshit and those who embody them. I can’t stand the cold; meaning the air and your tude.

    Q: What adjectives do not describe you?

    Quiet, boring, afraid. Just to name a few.

    Q: What don’t you want people to think about you?

    That I’m someone who tolerates inequality or doesn’t fight for the rights of everyone in humanity. I have always been one to know all humanity is equal and deserving I’d hate someone think the opposite.

    Q: What are your defining characteristics?

    Empathy, kindness, and the ability to include and uplift everyone. My loud ass mouth and my yellow ass attitude.

    Q: What do friends and family say about you?

    They call me hyper, loved, soft, a golden retriever, a good man, poetic, passionate, and an advocate. Someone who they can depend on.

    Q: What are your core values?

    Advocacy for policies that protect human rights, commitment to dismantling discrimination, activism, and honoring the diversity of human experience.

    Q: What causes matter most to you?

    Human rights, abortion access, marriage equality, healthcare justice, and the fight against harmful legislation as a whole. Ending the bullshit minorities are facing from Gaza to Ukraine and back to The USA.

    Q: Are these central to your brand and goals?

    Absolutely. I wouldn’t be me and my brand wouldn’t be by me if it weren’t. Would it?

    Q: What’s unique about you?

    I was a boy with boobies. I have a serious vitamin D deficiency. It makes me take a boatload of supplements. The creator forgot my other D too. So the struggle is real.

    Q: What are your short-term and long-term goals?

    Short-term: Keep creating new solo and collaborative projects, and grow my community.

    Long-term: Build a name and a publishing press that uplifts minorities and pays them fairly for their incredible work.

    Q: What are your strengths?

    I lead with empathy. While I hold space for grief, rage, softness, and transformation. I’m an advocate, especially for those who are silenced, overlooked, or underestimated. My creativity is wide-reaching and adaptable. I’m deeply intuitive. I connect dots most people miss. I build community in a way that makes people feel like they belong. I live my life with resilience, knowing I can be the storm or the calm sky. And more. Always more.

    Q: Is there one thing you do exceptionally well?

    Yeah. I take chaos and turn it into clarity. Whether it’s through a poem, a piece of handmade rock art, or helping someone feel seen. I try to take the raw, messy, painful stuff and turn it into something honest, haunting, and healing. And sometimes even beautiful.

    Q: What impact do you want to make?

    I want to foster real change. I want people to see me. I want them to realize, “Hey, I know someone trans.” There are more of us than you think, even if you don’t see us. Passing doesn’t matter, visibility does. Just because you don’t know every trans person is trans doesn’t make us exist any less.

    Q: Do your personal and business brands overlap?

    Completely. In more ways than one. I couldn’t think of business model names or my future platforms because I just incorporate all of me.

    Q: Why are you building a personal brand?

    To foster change, help others, and bring my authentic self and community together.

    Q: Are you breaking into the creator economy?

    Hell yes. I can only hope.

    Q: Are you building a business, a product, or a space?

    All of it of course. I have a business, products, and a space for connection and growth.

    Q: Are you creating a professional image to secure funding or partnerships?

    I hope so, but mostly to help and uplift others.

    Q: How will you create unique value for your audience?

    A: By blending literature, identity, and honesty into interactive work. My poetry, zines, e-books, and collaboration projects with meaning. I don’t just share; I connect. I create spaces where people feel seen, and remind them that their voice matters. While also giving them a place to share and a platform to publish on.

    links. portfolio. ko-fi. Payhip.