Fake Activism

Activism is by its’ very nature is an activity that transcends social norms and calls attention to issues and situations that have not gotten enough attention from established institutions, organizations and communities.

Recently Activism has become a popular subject with individuals who are long-term members of established organizations touting their credentials as activists. While these individuals may be incredibly effective members of service organizations they are not necessarily qualified to claim the title activist.

Over the past few months these individuals, in an attempt to harness the popularity of activist culture, have offered their experiences as a framework for activist engagement.  What is lost is that being engaged in organized social justice work does not an activist manifest. These social justice volunteers seek to focus the yearnings of an activist generation on their narrow organizational goals and interests.

Encouraging activists to surrender their personal agency in choosing social justice actions has the potential to sap the very life force from a generation that is committed to real change, change that these long-term organizations have failed to deliver.  Surly these organizations have accomplished much in setting the stage for change, yet their intense interest in narrow agendas confine their willingness to engage in revolutionary social actions that are needed in this century.

As an activist culture continues to emerge we should question those who seek to influence our actions. Those presenting themselves, as “experts” should be questioned; have they risked their own freedom to manifest social change? Have they lead protests? Have they demonstrated their willingness to exchange a measure of personal safety for social change?  These are important questions.  Volunteers for social change are an incredibly important component of social justice work, they have my respect, yet, to be an activist means so much more than simply volunteering for causes that resonate.

So the next time you take a class or workshop on activism ask your self; is this really about activism or is it an attempt to lasso the energy of activists into supporting well meaning but narrowly focused established organizations.

As a member of many great Social Justice organizations I respect and support their work.  I am however, not ready to surrender my agency as an activist to their organizational framework that looks more like a corporation than an organic outpouring of revolutionary energy.