Gentle protest is an approach to activism[1] which states that it aims to change hearts, minds, policies and laws through thoughtful and compassionate actions, intending to invite reflection and respectful conversation rather than division. It is purposefully non-aggressive.[2]
| Years active | 2015 - |
|---|---|
| Major figures | Sarah Corbett |
Its name came from a 2015 exhibition by Sarah Corbett at Föreningen Handarbetets Vänner in Stockholm which aimed to show that protests do not always have to be aggressive. The message of the exhibition was: "If we want our world to be more beautiful, kind & just, then our activism should be beautiful, kind & just".[3] The exhibition was shown at Helsinki Design Week[4] and as part of The Future Is Present exhibition at Designmuseum Denmark.
Corbett is an activist for social justice, Ashoka fellow, author and founder of the Craftivist Collective, a global social enterprise for individuals, groups and organisations to learn how to use crafts as a tool for activism.[5] She has said that 'gentleness'—which is not passive or weak—is the golden thread that creates real positive impact in her work.[6]
In 2017 she wrote a book, How To Be A Craftivist: The Art of Gentle Protest,[7] and ran a six-week online course titled "The School of Gentle Protest"[8] as part of a project funded by Arts Council England in collaboration with the University of Lincoln. Visiting professors included Orsola de Castro of Fashion Revolution and Catherine Howarth, CEO of ShareAction.[9]
Gentle protest has been used as a framework by groups in Potsdam,[10] the Lake District,[11] and at WWF[6] to protest on a broad range of issues. Corbett has worked with organisations including The Scout Association.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Sarah Corbett". Ashoka. 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ Townsend, Solitaire (16 November 2020). "100 UK Leading Environmentalists (Who Happen To Be Women)". Forbes. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ Corbett, Sarah (15 July 2015). "'Gentle Protest' exhibition by Sarah Corbett, Stockholm". Craftivist Collective blog. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ "Gentle Protest by Sarah Corbett". Design District Helsinki. September 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- ^ Thompson, Kailey (30 November 2021). "Craftivism Offers an Alternative To Traditional Protests as a Powerful Means of Expression". Good Good Good. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ a b Four Thought: Craftivism: Gentle Protest (23' radio programme). BBC Radio 4. 23 September 2020.
- ^ Corbett, Sarah (2017). How To Be A Craftivist. Unbound.
- ^ Morrison, Greg (17 April 2017). "The art of gentle protest". Positive News. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ Corbett, Sarah (15 March 2017). "Become a student of our 6week School of Gentle Protest". Craftivist Collective blog. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- ^ "Rücknahme der Kürzungen im Sozialbereich gefordert". AWO Bezirksverband Potsdam e.V. 30 July 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ Dingwall, Ed (7 September 2021). "High Peak crafters stage 'gentle protest' on Mam Tor to pressure MP over climate crisis". Buxton Advertiser. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ Abraham, Aimee-lee (29 October 2018). "The art of gentle protest". Medium. Retrieved 8 September 2023.