Activism, Identity, and Impact
When choosing activist tactics, distinguish expressing a valued identity from making progress toward the cause. Galef recommends keeping enough distance from an identity to assess which actions work.
THE IDEA
Identity can motivate activism and sustain commitment. It can also make a preferred tactic feel essential even when another approach better serves the goal. Galef recommends evaluating actions by their effects while remaining committed to the cause.
The source introduces a comparison of activism on “Identity” and “Impact” dimensions, but the comparison itself is absent. It also introduces citizen scientists involved in the response to AIDS; their story is not included in this excerpt.
When to use it
Choosing strategies for a political campaign or social movement.
Evaluating personal activism or volunteer work to maximize effectiveness.
Analyzing the behavior of activist groups and their outcomes in history or current events.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Citizen Scientists and AIDS
The excerpt introduces citizen scientists involved in the response to AIDS as an example of effective activism. It does not provide their actions or outcomes, so the case cannot be examined in detail here.
Climate Activism Strategies
Two climate activists disagree about whether to use civil disobedience, lobbying, or support for new technology. They can compare evidence about each tactic’s effects in the relevant setting. Willingness to consider alternatives helps the comparison but does not establish in advance which tactic is best.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
When advocating for a cause you care about, do you choose actions based on how they make you feel or based on their likely impact?
Can you think of a time when holding tightly to an identity prevented you from using a more effective approach?
How might you test whether a particular action is more about expressing identity or actually achieving change?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- The Scout Mindset (Julia Galef)