The saga of Armed Forces Brewing Company’s short tenure in Norfolk ended last week when the CEO Alan Beal announced the closure of its Norfolk taproom and brewing facility. It wasn’t smooth sailing for the business or its owners. Even before relocating to Norfolk the brewery had faced criticism from community members over anti-LGBTQ+ comments and misogynistic advertising, leading to significant local pushback.
While there was indeed an orchestrated local movement to hold the Brewery’s owners and management accountable for those actions, ultimately it was financial difficulties that lead to the brewery’s demise.
That didn’t stop Beal from throwing shade at the locals who challenged their every move. We mobilized at City Planning Council and Civic League meetings and reached out not only to the community at large with our concerns but to other businesses that sold the AFBC product whom we asked to boycott the product.
Typical of sore losers everywhere, Beal pushed back, blaming the Brewery’s misfortune not on financial mismanagement but on the “Local Woke Mob.”
What a blessing he gave us! We were here to take that, own it, and make it a real thing that resulted in local LGBTQ+ owned and allied businesses to immediately monetize the slogan with proceeds benefitting various LGBTQ+ non-profits in the area.
This is the power we have as activists. We play a crucial role in shaping societies by advocating for change, raising awareness, and holding institutions accountable.
And in the case of AFBC, we were rewarded with a victory over hate and discrimination.
As a proud member of “the woke mob” I’ve had a few days to think about my life as an activist, what it truly means, and why, now more than ever, it’s not just important but vital to our very survival.
Here’s what I know:
- Activism challenges injustice and pushes for policies that improve lives. Many rights we take for granted—such as civil rights, women’s rights, and labor protections—were won through activism.
- It also creates a space for the marginalized by amplifying the voices of those who are often ignored or oppressed, and it creates lasting platforms for underrepresented groups to share their experiences and fight for their rights.
- Activism holds power accountable. Governments, corporations, and institutions may not always act in the best interests of the people–and isn’t this exactly what’s going on now? Activism ensures they are scrutinized and pressured to act ethically and responsibly.
- Being active in your community also encourages civic engagement. Activism fosters a sense of responsibility and participation in democratic processes by encouraging people to vote, protest, and engage in discussions that influence policies.
- Many social issues remain unaddressed due to a lack of awareness. Activism educates people about injustices, inspiring more individuals to act. It also creates community and solidarity bringing people together, building networks of support and collective power. Movements thrive when individuals unite for a common cause.
- Finally, and most importantly, activism has a lasting impact by inspiring younger generations to continue the fight for justice, equality, and sustainability.
- And finally, activism begins right in your own backyard. Start there. Small victories like ours make tackling the larger issues seem attainable.
As I always remind people: think globally, act locally.
