Recognizing the identity of a true activist is important; however, even more important is recognizing what true activism is. Activism that is done crudely, in poor taste, or attracts the wrong audience, is inevitably ineffective and can lead to damaging consequences resulting in more harm than good. True activism is expansive in its range of possibilities but can be very difficult and uncomfortable to perform. This is due to the unnerving nature of challenging the opinions of someone with vastly different perspectives than your own.
I would argue that true activism is the most intimidating and yet most satisfying act any one person can do. What many may perceive as true activism is, in many cases, an extreme version that only caters to those who already have the same beliefs in mind. True activism is simply opening a dialogue between those advocating for a cause and those opposing it. A point that is outlined in Radical Teacher’s article: Jamming the Works… “for political artists and their audiences the need is also to bring people together in thought and action that go beyond individualized experience” (Dittmar, Entin). It is this act of bringing people together and
What is True Activism?
by Sarah Francesca Culp