Fashioning the Future With: Zeena Abdulkarim of Zero Hour

Welcome to part two of our Q&A with Zero Hour. Zero Hour is the youth-led climate justice organization that's doing the hard work of saving our planet from climate change before it's too late. Zero Hour works tirelessly in an uncertain political climate but in a time of certain climate crisis to open people's eyes, to advocate for real change, all in order to secure a future for Earth and its citizens. In part one, we interviewed Zero Hour's super rad Naina Agrawal-Hardin — which you can read here — and now we are back with part two, and couldn't be more excited about today's interviewee: Zeena Abdulkarim!

It should come as no surprise that Zero Hour is made possible by the work of incredible young people, and our Q&A with Zeena proves just that. Zeena is an organizer with Zero Hour who works with the advocacy and finance team. She's currently a freshman at Georgia State University in Atlanta and has been with Zero Hour for about a year. However, Zeena is no stranger to advocacy. When she was high school in Brevard, NC, Zeena served as the youth director for her local chapter of the NAACP. In addition to helping the climate justice cause, Zeena advocates for social justice for oppressed and minority communities and is an outspoken supporter of Black Lives Matter and Amnesty International. She was also the 2019 Homecoming Queen at her school, so it's safe the say that when it comes to social justice and being a role model for others, Zeena rules.

It's no surprise that Zeena's passion is helping people and making a better world for everyone. To that awesome end, she is majoring in political science with eyes on pursuing a career in politics. We thank Zeena for dedicating her life to not only helping save our planet but also for making it a just place for all of humanity. Zeena's hard work and commitment to (and passion for) justice casts her as a shining example for those who truly want to make this world — truly — a better place. Meet Zeena Abdulkarim of Zero Hour, advocate for Earth and everyone who lives on it! #ThisIsZeroHour

When did you know you were an activist?

I was raised in a rural, Southern, Christian, conservative town that did not embody progressiveness, representation, or diversity in any form. My family was the only openly Muslim, Sudanese, immigrant family in my town, so naturally we faced a lot of prejudice and backlash. Very often, I would encounter social interactions that would include me defending communities that often get misrepresented or stereotyped that I associated with — and had discussions (and sometimes even arguments) with people that are often not held — that needed to be.

This began in elementary school. Later, as my high school career progressed, I began establishing clubs for socially active youth to get involved in. I started organizing local social justice events within my community and exposing myself to the online activism community (that I didn't know existed), and soon I understood that I was living a life engulfed within activism. So, thanks to the internet, only recently I’ve been able to understand that I am an activist and that I’ve been doing activism work my whole life.

Do you have a personal philosophy as a climate change activist?

I believe — as a person who has been granted life by this Earth — that I should be fighting for the Earth’s life in return. Since the Earth cannot speak for itself, when the planet is being abused, I will pursue my due diligence and speak on behalf of the planet.

Who (modern day or historical) inspires you?

I recently went on a self-date to the Civil and Human Rights Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. I learned more about the civil rights movement and the Freedom Riders than I ever have been given the privilege of before. I realize that I am an activist for the same reason that the Freedom Riders were, for the sake of love and care. The resilience and diligence the black community held towards fighting for freedom and justice inspires me to fight continuously and passionately for the social and environmental injustices we face today.

What advice do you have for young people who want to get involved with climate change activism and Zero Hour specifically?

As tacky as the quote, “Be the change you wish to see in the world” is, it is true that no one else is going to fight for what you believe in. So, I wonder, what’s stopping you from saving the world?

What can older (millennials and above) people who are also concerned about climate change do to support the youth movement?

Adults are able to be allies to the climate movement through uplifting the voices of youth climate activists via social media, having climate-oriented discussions among other adult peers, changing daily routines to environmentally sustainable habits, and — most importantly — through voting qualified elected officials into positions of power.

Why do you think it is that young people such as yourself are so effective at spreading the message about climate change?

My generation has a reputation of being spoiled and entitled, and while this may be true to some extent, I believe it’s more fitting to refer to my generation as diligent and empowered. Without our persistence, outspokenness, and confidence in fighting for what we believe is right, would the climate, among many other movements have as much traction as they do? I don’t think so. I'm proud of my generation.

What do you wish people knew about climate change activism that isn’t discussed enough?

I believe often times people are unaware that people of color, minority, and low-income communities are the groups of people who face the effects of climate change most heavily — and that these are the communities that currently need the most support based off of the challenges they face and will need more support as this crisis progresses. We need to be listening to oppressed communities. Minority communities are exposed to what the privileged and people in power are not, therefore these communities know the right steps to take in the change we need for the kickstart of true social and environmental justice.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced during your activism?

I think the biggest challenge I’ve faced in activism work is balancing this with school, a social life, and my personal wellbeing. I’m still working on bettering myself in this way!

What has been the most rewarding part of being involved with Zero Hour?

The most rewarding aspect of being a part of Zero Hour has been meeting the communities I resonate with. Since I was raised in a community where I was an extreme minority, being surrounded with and introduced to people who experience similar experiences to mine — all while fighting for the same cause — makes me feel so motivated. I have never felt so normal, so appreciated, and so necessary.

It’s got to be incredibly stressful to be doing what you’re doing. How do you and your team encourage each other to keep going?

I think Zero Hour does a fantastic job of understanding the struggles we all face as activists, because they are all fairly similar. So, we keep in touch with each other, check in, and try to provide support to each other as much as possible.

Following that, do you have any self-care/mental health practices that help keep you going?

I try to take care of my well-being outside of activism through spending time doing the things I enjoy doing! Sometimes I’ll go do fun things with friends. I like to spend quality time with my family, making sure my academics are in order, or my personal favorite: just doing nothing and taking it easy.

Do you have any favorite fictional activist or other such inspiring characters in books/movies/other art forms?

The first two fictional characters that come to mind that inspired me as a child are: a) Princess Tiana and b) Princess Jasmine. I think it was because I culturally resonated with these characters, who they were, and what they stood for (on top of the fact that they’re princesses) that I admired so much. Princess Jasmine had a “fight the power, dismantle the patriarchy” mentality despite her Middle Eastern culture, and this inspired me as a child. Princess Tiana was not only the first black princess who has ever represented me, culturally, but she was extremely driven, independent, had an immense work ethic, and was determined to reach her goals. This was inspiring to me as a young girl because it made me feel as if I could establish my own moral compass, all while accomplishing my goals.

If you were a superhero, what would your go-to wearable technology device be?

If I were a superhero, I think my go-to technology device would be a machine that zaps social and historical awareness and empathy into people who don’t understand the systemic oppressions people face! Then, hopefully, more people would want to get involved in movement building.

To learn more, find Zeena on Instagram and Twitter! Be sure to head over to Zero Hour's website to learn how you can get involved, and follow Zero Hour on Insta, Twitter, and Facebook too.