Sometimes you meet people in life and you just know they are going to do things to change the world. Episode 157 we were joined by 18 year-old activist and poet, Saida Dahir, and she is going to be doing just that!

Saida has been public speaking since she was 12 and has found her niche in her circle of friends and in the activist community. As a founding member of the Utah chapter of March for our Lives, she went viral after reading one of her poems on the steps of the capitol. After she found out about the shooting in Parkland, Florida she knew she needed to be involved. Saida has also been involved with organizations such as Black Lives Matter and with DACA. Hearing her talk about being a Walking Stereotype, that is what her friends call her, shows that she knows what she has to fight for in addition to many other important causes.

A little short bio of Saida (Say-ee-dah) she was born in Africa in Kenya while her family was in a refugee camp. Her family, from Somalia, was in a refugee camp in Kenya because of the civil war and after a few years they finally granted refuge. At the age of 3 her family immigrated to Utah. Yes, we did ask her why Utah and she answered that for us, but you’ll just have to listen below! Saida has been writing poetry since she was 7 and it is giving her a unique and powerful platform. As a black, Muslim, immigrant woman, you can see why her friends call her the walking stereotype.

Is it hard being a teenager/young adult and fighting for something? You bet it is! You have to find friends that will stand by you and you have to hold your composure and hope you are heard when you are standing among adults. We wanted to know how Saida picks the causes which she stands for. She kindly reminded us that injustices vary from person to person. Saida told us that social media is the reason that people are standing up for the things they are standing up for, and how it gives everyone an equal playing field. Saida told us that speaking to people and trying to get them to hear her is broken down into three categories:

1. The people that are on her side. These are the ones sticking up for the same cause. The ones that are always listening and agreeing.
2. The iffy bunch. This is the most important group. This is the group that might be undecided but has the most chance of being educated and the ones she really wants to give her time to.
3. The would never’s. This is the group that no one should waste their energy on. Stick with the iffy’s.

Now that this strong, well spoken lady has graduated high school this year, her journey is going to take her to “the mecca” aka UC Berkley where she will study political science and law. We look forward to following her journey. You can follow her on her website she is building, Walking Stereotype. You can also follow her on Instagram, YouTube, and on Twitter. Her album of poetry will be released through Little Village Foundation.

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Music By: Folk Hogan. Bootleggers Dance.