Interview eleven: MOnze

In this interview, written by the lovely Tara, we spoke to Monze about her experience as a young advocate, how being involved equates to being intersectional, and more! 

Question One: Monze, thanks for reaching out to us with a diverse yet intersectional variety of topics! First things first, we’d love for you to tell us how your passion for the feminist, black lives matter, and lgbt+ rights movements sparked.

thank you for having me here! to answer the first question, well, my passion for the feminist, black lives matter, and lgbt+ rights moments really sparked when i notice that some of us were treated very differently. at a young age, i notice the racism, homophobia, and sexism within society. i’ve myself has experience these three thing. harmful things, i may say. so with everything going on around me, i’ve myself have try to educate my family. starting with them not the use the n-word and f-word. i’ve told my grandpa not to be sexist at times. even to my stepdad. even at first when they would do such things and say such things, they try to avoid doing things and saying things around me. they’re tried not to take those harmful actions anymore. and i’m glad they haven’t.

Question Two:  As you’d mentioned, writing is one form of channeling your activism where it can be shared and articulated with research. In school, have you had the chance to write about any of the justice movements you’re supporting? Have any of your pieces been poetry?
 unfortunately, i’ve never written something in school that involved a justice movement. which is disappointing in my place. however, i have written an essay to myself and i’ve written a couple of pieces that are poetry. all which involves a justice movement.

Question Three: As discussed earlier, the various social justice matters that you’re advocating for are intersectional. In what ways do different marginalized communities face the same hardships and need to support one-another?

honestly, anyone who is “different” in society has or still is facing hardships. however, we all just need to help and support one another. even if you’re just an ally. we all need to come as one and just need to show society that we’re not different in any way. we’re all still human, and we all have good hearts. even if it takes awhile for them to understand that we’re not different, we won’t stop trying. we won’t stop trying to show that we’re not bad as society makes us look. which is why every community needs to support one another. little things make huge difference sometimes.​

Question Four: Music, especially indie pop, has been apparent alongside your activism. Which artists provide you the motivation and comfort you need to stay persistent? Why is that so?
 
some artist that have provided me some pretty good comfort and motivation is charli xcx, conan gray, troye sivan, billie eilish, and bad bunny. honestly, they’ve all have giving me comfort and motivation because they teach us through their platform that everyone should have equal rights, have the freedom to speak up for themselves, and to just be themselves in their own ways. they’re showing us that they’re speaking up for everyone. it can be the smallest thing ever, but they’re showing society that we don’t need to be quite anymore, that we don’t have to hide ourselves, and that we do not have to be ashamed of ourselves. they’re showing that we don’t take anything bad. they’re showing us that we can make a change. a very good change. even if that requires us to make some bad decisions.

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Question Five: Thanks again for setting this up, Monze! It’s truly inspiring to be in the presence of a fellow young advocate. To conclude, would you like to leave any words for your future self to look back on?
 
some words i’d like to say to myself for my future self is well, i’m making a change, even if i don’t see it. but within myself i KNOW i’m making a change. even if it’s the smallest little change ever. i’ve accomplished somethings that many people probably don’t. which is absolutely okay. when i go back and look at this, i’m going to feel like i have accomplished something. something really positive and uplifting. thank you guys for having me and having the time to write questions for me! i really appreciate it!