Activist is not a dirty word, says Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo, an American actor, and producer asked the students of Dickinson College to be interested in activism because being an activist is not a bad thing.

Mark Ruffalo during his speech at Dickinson College said, “I’m here to tell you that activist is not a dirty word. And I’m here to tell your parents that, as well.”

He further added, “I didn’t expect to be an activist — I sort of stumbled upon it because, in the words of Larry Kramer, one of the AIDS activists and a mentor of mine, you have to fight for what you love.”

Mark said, “And you guys, in particular, are facing a lot of fights, there’s really no chance of ducking it or not having to deal with it. And I’m thrilled to be here you young people today who have so much knowledge and so much ability to communicate on such a grand level and a global level.”

He said in conclusion, “And so I’m asking each of you, at some point, to act up — be misbehaved. Buck the system. Fight for what you believe in. This is the time to do it. You’re the ones to do it. Your world, like no other generation, you actually get to create the world that you can imagine.”

“Don’t be afraid of anything,” were his parting words.