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You are an activist.
We find ourselves in a political reality that is all about denying the actual status of the earth and its inhabitants. And that is not very sustainable. So we need to step up and find our inner activist.
Some words of wisdom:
- Hannah Arendt advocates civil disobedience when the politicians don’t deliver. Change comes from the people. She also celebrates our differences: we should listen to us all and find solutions together.
- Bruno Latour agrees, and shows us the importance of the collective. By sharing our thought and beliefs we compose a collective.
- In this sharing it is important not to be a stuck militant (having fixed ideas of what is good and true) but to be an activist: move with the collective towards change.
In this blog (soon available as a zine) I give an unpretentious and biased overview of the archetypes of activists. I hope you see yourself or what you want to be. It is not science, it is fun and shows cats. I hope it tells you that all kinds of activist are fine, and we need them all.
This is me (and proud!):
The activists on a scale:
Pick your set. And remember: change comes from happy people who know their strengths. Stay comfy in your comfort zone.
The lazyvist
Score: 0
The world of the lazyist is comfortably small. Problems are too big to solve, sleeping is more productive. Good for your cats, and good against capitalism. But the lazyvist contributes little to change and that might be talent wasted. Please find your inner fire and step up to the level of the clicktivist and take it from there. You can be lazy when you are dead!
The clicktivist
Score: 1
Clicktivists are hard wired into the online world. They like, share and reply on all important topics. A fundraiser for an uninsured ill person: share! Famous person preaching sustainability: like! Political outrage: affirm! Sadly clicktivism can be counterproductive: people who only ever click are not likely to become active in the real world. So kick the cat from your lap get outdoors. And share online of course.
The shytivist
Score: 2
Shytivists are the true heros. Even though they are not at ease on the barricades they share their opinions in public anyway. (Secretly popping an Alprazolam.) They represent the no longer silent majority. Scream! Even if your voice is only a whisper. Hannah Arendt would be proud. Shytivsits are often also artivists.
The intellectivist
Score: 2
Intellectivists know it all. They follow all the important blogs and are on top of all international newspapers. Their knowledge is constantly fed with all the important To Read Now books. They might be a bit (wo)mansplainish but they mean well. They like the comfort of the discussion, to make actual change they need to team up with other activists.
The crazyvist
Score: 3
Crazyvists are unruly projectiles. Their exploding emotions confront like a shockwave. Crying, confused, angry: they hit us where it hurts. The crazyvist carries on no matter what. They show the courage and also the pain. Other activists should embrace them and listen to what they say.
The punktivist
Score: 4
Punktivists has a taste for provocation. Loud! Angry! But are also gentle souls. They speak for the silent and vulnerable. Their style is not always the best political glue, but their sincerity is above and beyond. Many punktivists ara also artivists. Might become a policyvist when growing up.
The discovist
Score: 4
For discovists life is a party. And making change should be a party too. Why not look great while saving the world! Dancing at (benefit) parties is the best activism they know. Happy future! (All hot and sexy.)
The artivist
Score: 4,5
Artivists are the silent but loud voice. They create stuff to tell the story of a better future. Hacks, comics, zines, posters, poetry, theatre, songs, stories, websites, slogans; they make the fuel for our hearts and souls. Often have cats and plants as colleagues. Can be shytivist too, but also discovist or punktivist, depending on personality.
The practivist
Score: 5
Practivists make it real. They build the mesh network, they host the knitting club. They mix the glue that goes with the posters and fix your bike. They do the (research) journalism. They build our EU hosted software and know a good pie recipe. They are our foundation.
The factivist
Score: 5
Factivists reads Hannah Arendt for breakfast. Knowledge and facts must always be at the heart of every discussion or plan. To know = to change. They are crucial in an activist team! Go well with policyvists. Often the child of an intellectivist.
The policyvist
Score: 5
Policyvists do the work on the system. With great gusto they roll around in the political mud. Change takes time, hard work and crazy optimism, and they are here for just that! Might become and intellectivist at old age.
Note from the author
This text will be available as a physical zine early March. 28 pages, A7, full color and full of cats. Cat stickers will be included. Sounds good? Pre-order at astrid@goedmaken.org.
- Don’t be a dick by copying these texts and illustrations without my knowledge and/or for financial gain.
- This book is a tribute to the work of Louis Wain, who is the best cat-artist ever. Ever.
- This little publication is a forever beta. A solidified sketch. An unpretentious, barely designed thingy. Probably with a few typos left. Let me know if you have ideas for improvement, but pls be kind.
- If you would like to read more about activism, go to goedmaken.org. There you’ll find articles, tools, the manifesto and a list of sources.
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