Activism facts for kids

Activism is about taking action to make a change in the world, or to stop a change from happening. It's often about trying to get governments to change laws, or encouraging people to change how they act. Activism is most often seen through protests, but there are many other ways people can be activists. When activism is linked to art, like in street art, it's sometimes called artivism. A famous example is the Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei.

What is Activism?

Activism means working to bring about social or political change. It comes from the word "active," meaning to do something. People who are activists believe strongly in a cause and want to make a difference. They might want to improve things for a group of people, protect the environment, or fight for fairness.

Why Do People Become Activists?

People become activists for many reasons. Often, they see something unfair or wrong in the world and feel a strong desire to fix it. They might care deeply about issues like:

• Fairness and Equality: Wanting everyone to be treated equally, no matter their background.
• Protecting the Planet: Working to save the environment from pollution or climate change.
• Human Rights: Making sure all people have basic rights and freedoms.
• Animal Welfare: Standing up for the rights and safety of animals.
• Community Improvement: Helping to make their local area a better place to live.

Activists believe that by working together, they can make a real impact. They often feel that if they don't speak up, important issues might be ignored.

How Activists Make a Difference

Activists use many different methods to achieve their goals. Their actions aim to raise awareness, influence decisions, and encourage others to join their cause.

Protests and Marches

One of the most well-known forms of activism is organizing protests and marches. These are public gatherings where people walk together, often holding signs, to show their support for an issue. Protests help to:

• Show how many people care about a cause.
• Get attention from the media and politicians.
• Encourage more people to learn about the issue.

Famous examples include the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, which was a key moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

Petitions and Campaigns

Activists also use petitions, which are documents signed by many people to ask for a specific change. These can be physical papers or online forms. Campaigns involve a series of planned actions over time to achieve a goal, like:

• Collecting signatures for a new law.
• Writing letters to government leaders.
• Boycotting (refusing to buy from) companies that do not act responsibly.
• Creating public awareness through advertisements or social media.

Online Activism

In today's world, the internet has become a powerful tool for activism. Online activism, sometimes called "digital activism," includes:

• Sharing information and opinions on social media.
• Starting or signing online petitions.
• Organizing events and protests through online platforms.
• Creating videos or memes to spread messages quickly.

This allows people to connect and organize across the globe, reaching many more people than ever before.

Volunteering and Community Work

Not all activism involves big protests. Many activists work quietly within their communities. This can include:

• Volunteering for charities or non-profit organizations.
• Cleaning up local parks or beaches.
• Helping people in need, such as collecting food for food banks.
• Educating others about important issues in schools or community centers.

These actions directly help people or the environment and build stronger communities.

Different Kinds of Activism

Activism covers a huge range of issues. Here are a few common types:

• Environmental Activism: Working to protect nature, fight climate change, and promote sustainable living.
• Social Justice Activism: Fighting for fairness and equal rights for all people, often focusing on issues like racism, poverty, or discrimination.
• Animal Rights Activism: Advocating for the ethical treatment and protection of animals.
• Peace Activism: Working to prevent wars and promote peaceful solutions to conflicts.
• Political Activism: Trying to influence government policies and elections, often by supporting certain candidates or parties.

Young People and Activism

Young people today are often very active in making a difference. They use their voices to speak out on issues that matter to them and their future. Many youth activists have led important movements, especially concerning climate change and social justice. They show that you don't have to be an adult to have a powerful impact on the world.

Related page

• Social movement

Images for kids

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  Barricade at the Paris Commune, March 1871

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  Civil rights activists at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom during the civil rights movement in August 1963

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  A women's liberation march in Washington, D.C., August 1970

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  The longest running peace vigil in U.S. history, started by activist Thomas in 1981

See also

In Spanish: Activismo para niños