Speak Up, Speak Out: Finding Your Voice for Self-Advocacy

Speak Up, Speak Out: Finding Your Voice for Self-Advocacy

Welcome to October! As the initial excitement of the new season wears off, you may be facing new challenges—academic pressures, workplace dynamics, or navigating complex social situations. For Black youth in Alberta, developing strong self-advocacy skills is not just helpful; it is a fundamental tool for empowerment and success.

Self-advocacy is the ability to articulate your needs, wants, and rights to others. It means asking for what you need and speaking up against injustice or misunderstanding. The ALL IN FOR YOUTH program, founded by ZCUSA, champions the idea that our youth should be confident, informed leaders who demand respect in every space they occupy.

Here is your guide to honing your youth voice and becoming an effective self-advocate:

1. Be Clear on Your Needs: Before you speak, know your goal. Do you need a deadline extension? Are you challenging a low grade? Are you reporting a microaggression? Clarity is critical. Write down your main points to keep the conversation focused.

2. Practice Assertive Communication: Assertiveness is the middle ground between aggression (demanding) and passivity (staying silent). It means communicating your feelings and needs clearly and respectfully. Start your requests with "I" statements:

   • Instead of: "You gave me an unfair mark."

   • Try: "I believe my work demonstrates a strong understanding of the material, and I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss the grading criteria for this assignment."

3. Know the System: Whether it's school or work, understand the rules, policies, and available resources. Familiarize yourself with student handbooks, HR policies, or equity offices. Knowledge of the system gives your self-advocacy efforts structure and legitimacy.

4. Find the Right Allies and Channels: Don't go it alone. Seek out trusted teachers, managers, ZCUSA mentors, or school/community equity officers who can offer support or mediate. Sometimes, having an ally present or reporting through an established channel is the most effective form of advocacy.

5. Focus on Outcomes, Not Just Emotions: While your feelings are valid, framing your advocacy around a constructive outcome is often more productive. Focus on fixing the policy, adjusting the grade, or changing the behavior, rather than dwelling solely on the offense.

Finding your voice takes practice and courage, but it is the single most powerful way to shape your environment and ensure your success in Alberta's competitive landscape. You are a leader, and leaders know when and how to speak up for themselves and their peers.