We were lucky to catch up with Sarayu and Katie Bellary and Chou recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sarayu and Katie, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
My (Sarayu) optimism comes from my personal belief that change is not only possible but inevitable. However, it’s true that maintaining optimism within the gun violence prevention movement can be incredibly challenging, particularly in the face of continued inaction from lawmakers and the persistent tragedy of preventable shootings. It often feels like we’re fighting an uphill battle against a political system that seems resistant to change. But despite these obstacles, we draw strength from the examples set by past social justice movements, such as the civil rights movement. The civil rights movement faced immense opposition and encountered numerous setbacks along the way. Progress was slow, and victories were hard-won. Yet, through optimism, activists were able to create tangible change. They demonstrated that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, grassroots movements have the power to shift public opinion, mobilize communities, and ultimately change the course of history. We know that change won’t happen overnight, but we refuse to be discouraged by the challenges we face. Instead, we choose to focus on the victories we’ve achieved and the progress we continue to make, knowing that with each step forward, we bring our vision of a world free from gun violence closer to reality.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Sarayu and I (Katie) were first chosen to be chapter leaders of the Dallas branch of March for Our Lives back in August. Both of our passions for gun violence prevention were amplified after the Uvalde Shooting in our very own state. It prompted the question: if we can’t even feel safe at school then what place is even left? The fact that so many kids of all ages have lost their lives to assault weapons kick started our passion and encouraged us to join March. MFOL is a nonprofit that engages in political action and advocacy efforts to spur on stricter gun control legislation, in hopes of curbing mass shooting numbers. After the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, (the shooting that inspired students at that school in Parkland, FL to start MFOL) on February 14, 2018, MFOL organized the largest single day of protest against gun violence in history. The mission of this org is to harness the power of young people across the country to fight for sensible gun violence prevention policies that save lives! We also participate and plan a wide variety of protests given the intersectionality of gun violence and so many other issues. Being chosen to run this org was a huge honor for both of us, as we were being handed so much responsibility and power we didn’t have before to combat gun violence; this leadership role also meant access to many more resources to aid us in our mission.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. The ability to compromise 2. Persistence
3. Honesty
The first skill is so overlooked in advocacy work because folks often are extremely engaged into their mission. But what pushes MFOL so far is our ability to carry peaceful, informative conversations and allow different viewpoints to flourish. I (Katie) encourage all folks in advocacy welcome all perspectives but also stand their case; more often than not, this open mindedness allows people to expand partnership and also reach an unexpected, wider audience. The second and third skill come hand to hand because the measure for advocacy progress can be very vague. It’s important to stay honest with your impact and progress but also keep pushing forward even when results are underwhelming. Advocacy means being part of a mission that sometimes the line of progress is a big arc it almost feels like a straight line. But it isn’t.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My (Sarayu) parent’s journey to this country was marked by countless obstacles, yet they never surrendered. Instead, they instilled in me the traits of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Witnessing their determination to carve out a better life for our family in a new land has been the most impactful lesson of my upbringing. They remind me that the fight for a future free from the scourge of gun violence is not merely a political endeavor, but a personal one. It is about safeguarding the lives and aspirations of our loved ones. Their resilience fuels my determination to advocate for change. When faced with the daunting task of confronting systemic injustice, I draw strength from their example. Their journey serves as a constant reminder that progress is possible, even in the most daunting circumstances. It is this belief in the power of resilience and collective action that propels me forward in the fight for a future where my parents, and all families, can live without fear of gun violence. In every rally, campaign, and community outreach effort, we are driven by the vision of a world where every individual can pursue their dreams without the threat of senseless violence. My parents’ immigrant experience has taught me that change is not only necessary but achievable. By standing together with fellow activists in March for Our Lives, we honor their resilience and forge a path towards a brighter, safer tomorrow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/mfoldtx
- Instagram: @mfoldtx
- Twitter: @AMarch4OurLives
- Other: Email: [email protected]
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