ACTIVISM – The policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change.

Forms of activism:

• writing letters to newspapers or to politicians,
• political campaigning

Economic activism:

• boycotts
• patronizing businesses,
• rallies
• street marches
• strikes
• sit-ins
• hunger strikes.

 

What is important to me? 

 

Businesses are clever, they promote themselves through their generosity.

• Starbucks stated they’d hire 10,000 refugees – this promotes them as a business but in turn, generates a LOT of business.
• Unilever own both Dove and Axe (Lnyx) – Dove promote differences in women and fight body shamming whereas Lynx promotes a clean-shaven, toned body for men. Slightly opposite ideals, proving that Unilever doesn’t believe in one view but instead uses each brand and its audiences to create the most revenue as possible.

Body confidence? Race? Acceptance?

‘Same, same but different’ – a quote I’d seen all over Asia whilst traveling during the summer. This really resonated with me. Although most of the time this was used in relation to buying something like a bag or fan and they were trying to be persuasive, it meant something different to me. Being out there, seeing how they live, the sense of community, poverty etc, it made me think. We are all fundamentally the same, we are people, we have feelings, wants, needs but we are also, rightly so, different.

 

refs:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activism
• https://medium.com/@christinaling/activism-the-hottest-trend-of-2017-d8d94750d53
• https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/mar/25/activism-mainstream-protests-create-change
• https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/feb/03/activism-sells-brands-social-conscience-advertising
• https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/ko-lanta/nightlife/same-same-but-different/a/poi-dri/1381810/357598