Sett’s Story
Sett’s Story
Written by Angie Flores, Winter 2024 Changemakers Fellow
Sett Vincent wears many hats: poet, artist, friend, and Associate Director of ROSC (Resources for Organizing & Social Change), among others. His advocacy journey started on Tumblr and deepened through involvement in LGBTQ+ advocacy work at the local library. Since then, Sett has been fighting for causes dear to his heart.
Some of his recent work with ROSC involved organizing workshops to address classism in the workplace and the ways class interacts with race. The workshops supported conversations about accountability in organizations to address classism and created solidarity with people who are poor and working-class. These conversations were especially important for Sett as he faced homelessness, which prompted him to move from Connecticut to Maine. Sett is also working towards a Youth Activism Gathering scheduled for August, which will offer a series of workshops designed for youth by youth. Other current projects include zine-making and poetry writing.
To keep up with this work requires motivation. Sett shares that his motivation comes from caring for the people who will come after him and respect for those who came before him. He says, “ I have respect for the people who came before us. People have lost their lives trying to make things better and things still aren't entirely better. Things aren't much better at all in some cases. I really feel a calling as I know their lives and their effort mattered and it matters enough to me that I want to help their causes.”
He emphasizes the importance of doing work you enjoy and celebrating the little wins to stay motivated. He stresses the need for joy in the fight, highlighting the importance of taking time to rest when needed and enjoying fun moments to prevent burnout. “This work is really hard and it's basically endless, right? Climate change, social justice. Are really big things and it's going to be really hard to get a break from those things. And so what's really important is doing work that feels good.” In that sense, it is important to find the role that fits you. Sett shared that he enjoys spreadsheets, organizing data, and color-coding things to make information easy to read. He then acknowledged that while it might be harder for him to be a facilitator, he can still contribute to a cause by helping with workshop registration and organizing information.
Yet, finding one's voice in the midst of daunting systemic issues can be a journey in itself. Sett acknowledges this ongoing process of self-discovery, emphasizing the power of speaking out in solidarity with others. "Part of me finding a voice, which I'm still definitely learning how to do, is honestly just agreeing out loud more often when I agree with someone," Sett reflects. For Sett, agreeing aloud can develop into conversations that create cultural change. He believes cultural change happens on a small scale (conversations at school meetings, for example) and is crucial for systems change. Sett explains the power of one-on-one conversations to change perspectives and inspire others: while the immediate goal might be to persuade or enlighten the person you're talking to, the ripple effect extends to those observing the conversation. Even if you don't change the individual's mind directly, the impact can spread through the observers and into their interactions with others, creating a chain reaction of influence and change. It highlights the significance of personal interactions in shaping collective attitudes and behaviors.
At the heart of Sett's work lies a deep commitment to community building rooted in care. For Sett, community is more than just a collection of individuals—it's a space where people are valued for their entirety, where care extends beyond professional obligations to encompass personal well-being. He shares an example of how, at the beginning of every meeting, he asks participants what their needs are as part of the check-in question. He shares that he has seen people express needs ranging from requiring an extra minute, to assistance with installing an AC, to help with paying car insurance. Sett has witnessed all these needs being met because people in the meeting will crowdsource and support each other. "Because we took the time in the work meeting to ask: how are you as a human? It means that not only those needs get met, which is first and foremost the most important thing. It also means that the work can get done because the people won’t have to worry alone about the other things."
For Sett, climate justice is inseparable from broader struggles for equity and liberation. Sett quickly points out that it's crucial to listen to indigenous voices when discussing climate justice. He also emphasizes that while green energy may offer a temporary solution, it doesn't address the underlying issue. Sett prioritizes halting corporate pollution of the environment, stating, "It’s going to be really hard to really change things for as long as they are doing what they do and not facing consequences about it." True climate justice, Sett believes, entails tackling the root causes of environmental degradation and centering the voices of indigenous communities.
When asked for advice to share with young changemakers, Sett suggests there's never a perfect time to begin. "You're probably going to make mistakes because that's what humans do, but doing something and starting somewhere is better than not starting at all." Sett reflects on his own journey, recalling his energy during his Tumblr days when he was uncertain how to channel it. Initially, he focused on learning. However, he notes, "Learning was valuable, but if I had been ready to start discussing the issues important to me, I could have begun building a foundation and a community."
As Sett looks to the future, his vision extends to living alternatives to capitalism. “I want to think of ways or be part of initiatives where people can step out of the system and feel truly supported for at least a little bit." Sett's aspirations embody a profound commitment to building a more just and equitable world, one workshop, conversation, and act of solidarity at a time.
