Our class took some time to think through just what “activism” means to us. Each of the 10(ish) participants contributed 3-4 sticky notes that described actions and ideas that we
associate with activism. We spent 15 minutes or so clustering the ideas up on a white board, trying to tease out some common themes. Limited by time, we didn’t get a chance to really work through the ideas and we will likely need to revisit this exercise at some point. However, there were some key themes that came out, some identified by our group and some I am adding in:
- Individual vs. collective action
- Through the Market
- Violent vs. non-violent
- Active resistance versus passive resistance
- Spirituality
- Introspection
- Reform vs. revolution
What does activism mean to you? Which are the most effective strategies or tactics to affect social change? Would be interested to have some discussion on-line to help my/our thinking along. Hopefully these ideas and this comic will be good stimuli.
I pulled this comic off of a website authored by artists Stephanie McMillan. Check out her other stuff if you feel so inclined.
http://minimumsecurity.net/blog/portfolio/
Colin Anderson
johnneufeld
“I will prefer a song of freedom as a strategic tool to effecting social justice. The reason is because music transcend generations in effect. It tends to ring over and over in the hearts of people long after the mission has been accomplished; down to the next generation. On the other hand, using brick is stooping down into violence. It never creates any tangible achievement rather it destroys. Activists are always on the front lines of every cause aimed at realizing change. Activism is the art of influencing a people to rise responsibly in resistance to oppression through enduring courage and hope. Character is in the center of every activist and an attitude of doggedness is the bedrock of their spirit.”
-Babawale Odunuga
By: BABAWALE ODUNUGA on January 24, 2009
at 4:47 am