The basis of activism is passion. Outrage is sufficient to give a kinetic energy boost and inertia; but there's a higher plane of altruism, steadiness, and pure interest in making a difference. Anger isn't a sustainable mode. Some may believe in God. I do, and more so today than in the past when it seemed at times a distraction. This keeps me even-keel even when projects like Kulture go slower than we expected (although the overall progress- very pleased with- in terms of the volume content, the thousands who've read our reports, etc.). It's because it becomes about the journey- not just some end-point(s). There's a moral imperative, whether you're a believer in God or not, to right wrongs and create a just world -- and then to use what we have to make it so.

That in and of itself is purpose; this leads to activism. Theodore Roosevelt once said:

"“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Many of you are engaged in inspiring projects from compiling evidence of how Asians are disadvantaged in the West, creating Asian-friendly clothing lines, etc. For all others, I'm inviting you. Enter the arena.