Gerardo Rivera is an atheist, humanist, and an agronomist. He earned an MS in Plant Biology. Rivera discusses guidance for young Puerto Rican humanists, emphasizing balance in activism and sustainability in life goals.
In an interview with Canadian humanist Scott Jacobsen, Rivera highlights the importance of maintaining personal well-being while pursuing activism, as it helps sustain long-term commitment to causes. He also underscores the role of generational stewardship, encouraging mentorship and financial support to foster younger activists’ growth and exposure to diverse experiences. Rivera reflects on the enriching value of engaging with international humanism perspectives and urges experienced activists to give back by mentoring and supporting upcoming generations.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Today’s topic is advice for young Puerto Rican humanists. What should they keep in mind, and what are some important examples?
Gerardo Rivera: Great. My name is Gerardo Rivera, and I am from Puerto Rico. I’m twenty-six years old. We’ll be discussing balance and what young Puerto Rican humanists should consider.
We were talking about how activism goes through phases, much like life. I was sharing advice based on my own experiences. Often, as activists, regardless of our specific field, it’s easy to forget that we’re only as effective as our ability to maintain balance in our lives. Ultimately, if we’re not emotionally and physically well, sustaining the work we care about becomes impossible. Activism relies on us being in a healthy, stable place.
For those passionate about a cause, I advise dedicating as much time as you can—but not at the expense of your well-being. Many people start activism when they’re young, which can become a lifelong journey that’s hard to step away from. Beginning young can sometimes lead to losing track of other important goals, like advancing your career, continuing your education, or achieving economic stability. If you’re not in a good place personally, sustaining your activism long-term will be difficult, if not impossible.
So, it’s essential to recognize your passion and commitment to an important cause. However, it’s equally important to plan for the long term. Ask yourself: How can I build a life that balances my need for happiness and stability with my passion for activism? This kind of planning is crucial.
Remember that activism, politics, and social movements rely on sustainable generational stewardship. Ensure that someone is ready to continue after you because, as humans, we won’t be able to fight the fight forever. Activism isn’t always purely organized; it often involves individual actions. It’s essential to bring others in, help them find their place, and support their growth in activism. Building sustainable organizations or movements is vital because our time here is limited.
If you’re in a position where you’ve had the privilege of being an activist and are now more economically stable but still passionate, take someone under your wing. I’ve had mentors in humanism and activism, including my dear friend Eva, who constantly advises me and is one of my best friends. If you can mentor someone, regardless of their age, it’s a powerful way to support the next generation. I’m doing this in my own life and through academia. For example, I’m setting up scholarships for people who want to study what I studied. This is how we can responsibly support the future of activism.
So that’s one way we can give back. It’s similar to activism—you should try to give back so someone can continue the fight when you no longer can. The rights of future generations will depend on what we can protect today. That’s a lesson I’ve learned recently. My life has changed so much, and it’s become clear, especially with these changes, that life is unpredictable, even if you plan.
Destiny, though I believe in a deterministic view of the world, is very unpredictable. So, the more we can create a network of people who can carry on the fight after us, the better. Even if you cannot donate, find other ways to support. Visit your local college and reignite that club you once belonged to that may no longer be active or has dwindled in numbers. For example, when I was in college, we had alumni—some without children attending—who would come back and ask, “What does the club need? How can we help, whether planning, donating, or volunteering?” They would help us with all kinds of things.
If you’re in a stable position, donate your time, lend a hand, or support groups that may not have the same privileges. That’s one meaningful way we can give back, and that’s all I have to say about it.
Jacobsen: There’s something of a “Taylor Swift era” vibe in life. Not every moment needs to be about being a ‘boss babe’ or a ‘boss boy,’ right?
Rivera: Totally!
Jacobsen: There are times when you’re working hard in Missouri, saving up for a place, and others when you’re in Copenhagen, chatting with a Canadian over coffee.
Rivera: And then there are times like a year and a half ago—before I was in Copenhagen—where I was in the streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico, at midnight, running from the police during a demonstration. Life changes fast.
Jacobsen: I recently returned from Ukraine with Remus Cernea, and this was my second time there. We were there about a month and a half ago, close to a month. Remus and I have been discussing current events.
Rivera: I recently read that North Korea is hinting that it wants to help Russia militarily.
Jacobsen: It’s more than a hint. That’s a whole other topic. From a Canadian vantage, there can be misunderstanding from Americans about Puerto Rico’s status, its people, and its culture. Sometimes, it even leads to stereotypes like the one mentioned by a comedian recently.
I don’t know the comedian’s name. There could be others, almost a benevolent version of the reverse. Puerto Rico’s exotic or something othering. But really, it’s the same principle—it doesn’t humanize people. It’s about presenting a combination of attributes people recognize without really showing a full picture of who someone is.
So, what do you recommend for activists working in a specific context who want to expand their efforts, build alliances, travel, lecture, attend world congresses of humanism, and other such events?
Rivera: That’s a great topic. I’ve had the privilege to do that, and I still do, though not actively because of my phase. But, hopefully, I’ll get back to it in the future.
I’ve had the privilege to experience and compare worldviews and interpretations of humanism that differ from mine. Humanism is, after all, human-centered. And with so many different human experiences worldwide, each affected by political, cultural, environmental, and other influences, there are countless varieties. It would be a lifelong journey to explore every version of humanism. I’ve had the chance to meet people from other countries, understand their challenges, and learn about the solutions they’ve developed. It was incredibly enriching to be exposed to all that.
Thinking about it now, if you have the opportunity to support activists—whether they’re younger or not—by providing financial support so they can meet others, travel, and broaden their experiences, that’s another way to give back. If I hadn’t done all those things, I wouldn’t have gained as much culture from others, and I might never have met you!
Jacobsen: However, I probably reached out by email at some point.
Rivera: But truly, there’s no replacement for direct experience. It was a magical time, and I hope to revisit it once I’m through this phase of my life. So, I would encourage anyone I can in Puerto Rico to become more active. Absolutely.
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