Change Begins With Us

When I read a recent message from the Medium team, I was genuinely impressed. Not because it was simply about writing or reaching more readers, but because it made me think about a much deeper question.

Why do we write about social issues?

As a sociologist, I look at society through a sociological lens. I believe that almost every issue around us has a social dimension. The way we think, behave, interact and respond to problems all contribute to the society we create.

This makes me wonder about the purpose behind our writing.

When we highlight social issues through articles, discussions and social media posts, what is our real intention?

Is it only to increase our followers?

Is it only about getting more views, expanding our reach or building a personal identity?

Or do we genuinely want to create awareness, encourage reflection and contribute to positive change?

There is nothing wrong with wanting our work to reach more people. In fact, reaching people is important if we want ideas to travel. But I believe that reach should be a means, not the ultimate purpose.

If we write about social problems only because we want recognition, then perhaps we should ask ourselves what kind of change we are actually trying to create.

I strongly believe that social change begins with us.

We often talk about changing the world. We discuss injustice, inequality, discrimination, poverty, health problems, education and many other social issues. We want governments, institutions and societies to change.

But sometimes, while looking at the bigger picture, we forget to look at ourselves.

We want to correct the world around us while ignoring the small environment that we personally influence.

Change does not always begin with a major movement.

Sometimes it begins with the way we treat one person.

It begins with questioning our own assumptions.

It begins with listening before judging.

It begins with being honest about our own behaviour.

It begins when our awareness becomes action.

Perhaps one of our biggest mistakes is that we want to fix the world on a very large canvas while forgetting that we are also part of that canvas.

If we genuinely want constructive and productive change, our thoughts, intentions and actions need to be connected.

Awareness without sincerity can become another form of performance.

Knowledge without action can remain only knowledge.

And writing without a genuine intention to contribute can become nothing more than content.

This does not mean that every article must change society overnight. It simply means that our work should carry some honesty and purpose.

When we write about an issue, perhaps we should ask ourselves one simple question:

What do I genuinely want this reader to think about, question or change after reading this?

For me, sociology is not only about studying society. It is also about understanding our own position within it.

We are not outside society looking at its problems.

We are part of society.

And if we want society to change, perhaps the first place we should look is within ourselves and around us.

The world may be a very large canvas.

But meaningful change can begin with something much smaller.

It can begin with us.

Haniya Syed Sociologist