Today, I heard an interview with Lia Johnson on CBC. Lia is a young Yukoner who is trying to motivate others, particularly youth, to act on climate change issues. (Go Lia!)
During the interview
, the host noted that perhaps “environmentalist” wasn’t the dirty word it used to be. I wondered what he would think of the word “activist”!
However, he queried if being branded “green” was an issue for Lia in her day-to-day life. I mused if others stopped short of speaking out for fear of being similarly labeled.
In a small community like the Yukon, these labels are pretty hard to peel off once publicly pasted on.
Ten years ago, I worked as the Executive Director for the Yukon Conservation Society. Yet just a few months ago, a newspaper article questioned the bias of a review I was helping to conduct on our local environmental and socio-economic assessment process because of my past work with this group. (He also questioned another team member’s involvement in other advocacy work in her home community). Apparently, as I once expressed opinions publicly about environmental issues, I might not be able to be balanced in my professional life. Thankfully, he didn’t know about my work with different feminist organizations! Or about my advocacy on human rights legislation back in the 80s! Who knows where that may have led!?
Perhaps to protect my income, I should just learn to be quiet?
Okay, for me, it is not a significant issue (but it is something I do weigh now and again). I wonder though if the fear of being labeled is a deterrent for other people? Do people worry that they will be pasted with an “ist” label like “feminist”, “environmentalist”, or “activist” or even just as a general “rabble rouser”? Does it stop them from acting?
Judy Rebick, a long time Canadian activist with multiple labels, believes that people are afraid to speak out publicly, particularly immigrants. In an interview, she suggested that groups needed to provide “safe” ways for people to get involved.
In a community the size of the Yukon, it is challenging to provide “safe” behind-the-scenes activities for change when so little can be done privately. The government staff person reading your letters to a Cabinet minister might be your neighbour. Your boss might spot you walking into some advocacy group’s office! The risk is always there of being identified with a particular perspective.
I’d be curious to hear if people have decided not to act on something because of a fear of being labeled? What did you feel was at risk? Are there activities people feel safer engaging at that also feel effective? What do you think groups can do to make advocacy “safe” (or should they try?).
To close, here is a quote that helps makes “activist” a label to wear with pride:
Even if those who cling to traditional politics don’t like it, activism represents nothing so much as an informed, passionate and engaged citizenry.
(From: Falconer, T. (2001). Watchdogs and Gadflies: Activism from Marginal to Mainstream. Toronto: Penguin Books).
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | Activism, Advocacy, Labels, Speaking out
Ms. Ellis. I wrote that story at which you have taken such misguided offence. A little intellectual honesty here would be appreciated. The story was not “questioning” your views on the environment, nor your right to hold them. The story questioned whether those holding such views and having past and present affiliations with environmental activist groups could offer a fair assessment of a regime that regulates industry. That’s the salient point in the story. It’s totally disingenuous to then make the leap that because you felt I was against your environmental activism (not true — here’s the story for a refresh http://whitehorsestar.com/archive/story/review-will-be-transparent-team-leader-vows/), that now allows you to imply that I’m somehow anti-feminist or anti-human rights. Please get real.
Jason Unrau