Activism is a popular word to use nowadays, to describe witnessed actions, promoted in the media and among society, but… have you ever stopped to think about what it means? From where does it come from?

Of course, at the very beginning of exploration, we can reach over a dictionary. Its book definition says that activism is: „the use of direct and public methods to try to bring about especially social and political changes that you and others want”. And indeed, this is how we perseive it for about 100 years. Since early years of XX centuary this word has been associated with social collaborative actions and described, in political sense, „promotion of energetic actions”. One of given example is Swedish political movement (1915) actively promoting abandonment of neutrality during WWI as something right and important to change. Before that, it happened to have many meanings, becoming subject of philosophy or law studies, e.g. judicial activism – using court power to act beyond the law, basing on own belives or interpretations, aside established rules and legislation processes.

Thanks to development of social movements and civic engagement, and obviously activism itself, today we can find wider descriptions of this phenomenom and interesitng approaches of organisations based on such actions.

It’s about putting a pressure on the people, especially those in power, to change their decisions, behaviours and make things right on mentioned issues. Taking actions on your own might be a challenge, but a motivational vision of inspiring others, growing a movement and in result – increasing power of combined voices and impact, seems to bring extra fuel to keep going. But very useful tip and friendly reminder that shouldn’t be forgotten – you are the only one who knows your own capacity and comfort limits. Your activism definition and role depends from you, but not neccesarily in cost of own health or safety. In short: act wisely. Fortunately, in every group/movement there might be found leaders or, in advanced cases, even structures and strategies of action. Basing on positive motives, group will not only focus on target and share responsibility, but also provide depthed support, mentoring and take of people’s commitment.

And as we reached a topic of commitment, a question arises – does it mean that before invention of „activism”, people wasn’t engaged? Nothing of the sort. Activism values or principles were and still are present in or are similar enough to other phenomenons. Often, while reading about activism, you can meet many associated words or even used as synonym. A few examples:

• changemaker,
• advocacy / advocating,
• lobbing,
• altruist,
• volunteer / volunteering,
• defender,
• reformer,
• protest; protester,
• revolt; revolutionist.

At the first glance it’s easy to find some connections between them, like leading to some changes in important matters and being a challengers who are not scared of giving more efforts. If anything, what differentiate them might be being driven by different final goals, using more or less peaceful solutions or representing different power inbalances.

Even if activism could be seen as not that well defined for some people and they still confuse what constitute its definition, there are more hints what make you a part of activism. First of all, maybe it isn’t that important to look at it as: „something necessarily good or a bad thing. It more depends on the cause of actions and people’s judgment of what is worthwhile. They engage to achieve a social goal, not to obtain power themselves. Much activism operates behind the scenes”. Because a lot of people simply are concerned about the world’s problems and doing what is in their power to address a pressing problems by inventing visible actions towards decisions makers, bringing attention and eyes of world, pointing ignored issues.

Sources:

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/activism

https://www.etymonline.com/word/activism

https://www.coe.int/en/web/compass/hre-and-activism

https://www.amnesty.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/102-introduction-to-activism_at_amnesty_international.pdf

https://www.bmartin.cc/pubs/07Anderson.html