Kelly McParland May 1, 2012 – 10:08 AM ET
Last Updated: May 1, 2012 10:56 PM ET
A BIG MOUTH AND AN IPHONE
BLACK BLOC ANONIMITY
For some time now, I’ve been trying to figure out what is required to identify one’s self as an activist.You come across activists all the time. They are often quoted by legitimate news organizations, offering opinions on issues of the day. Generally their qualifications appear to be limited to an interest in the subject matter. So anyone involved in organizing a Root Vegetable Consumers Against Frozen French Fries (RVCAFFF) protest march can legitimately identify themselves as an “activist”.
No expertise is required, nor any specific experience, though activists often appear to have plenty of background in activism itself, i.e. they’ve been complaining about the same thing for a long time. There was a time when environmentalists needed nothing more than a desire to live in a remote hut without electricity or access to commercial television to consider themselves fully qualified to assess an energy plan that might impact millions of people. Since then, however, universities have discovered they can fill entire buildings with students eager to memorize environmental slogans and other arcania, and “environmentalism” has become a recognized discipline. But you can still be an “activist” by just registering to show up at a review hearing to condemn Big Oil, knowing little more than the price at the pump. Read More »
.Posted in: Canada, Environment, Full Comment, Policy, Pop Culture, Social Issues Tags: activism, environment, May day, Occupy movement
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