What is activism? We often hear the word, but it can be challenging to put the finger on what qualifies as activism. In its broadest definition, activism is taking action to bring about social or political change.

This can manifest in many different forms, from marching in protests to starting petitions to writing letters to elected officials.

Activists work towards various goals, from raising awareness about an issue to fighting for regulations or laws to be passed.

There are many different types of activists working for good. This article educates you on the various methods and definitions for the most popular forms of activism and how they manifest worldwide.

Activist Types

- Environmental activists

Environmental activism is a form of activism that aims to protect the environment. This can include things like protesting against fracking, deforestation, and climate change, as well as promoting sustainable living practices.

- Animal rights activists

Animal rights activism is a movement dedicated to protecting the rights of animals. This can include working to protect animals from cruelty, abuse, and neglect and campaigning for laws and regulations that better protect animals' rights.

- Human rights activists

Human rights activists are people who campaign for the recognition and protection of human rights. They work to end human rights abuses and help people exercise their human rights.

-Civil Rights Activists

Civil rights activists are people who campaign for the civil rights of all people. This can include campaigning for equal rights and opportunities, fighting discrimination, and working to create a society in which everyone gets treated fairly and equally.

- Political activists

Political activists are people who campaign for change in the political system. They may do this through peaceful protests and petitions or more aggressive tactics such as violence or civil disobedience.

- Economic activists

Economic activists are people who advocate for economic justice. They may work to improve the poor's lives or reform economic systems to make them more equitable. Many economic activists also work to protect the environment since they see the two issues as interconnected.

- Religious activists

Religious activism is when someone takes action to support their religious beliefs. This can include protesting, campaigning, or raising awareness about spiritual issues.

- Cultural activists

Cultural activism uses culture and the arts to promote social and political change. It can take many forms, from writing songs or poems about essential issues to creating visual art that communicates a message to staging theater productions that raise awareness about social problems.

- Health activists

Health activism is the pursuit of healthier lives through public health initiatives and individual action. It can take many forms, from grassroots organizing to lobbying governments and corporations. Health activists work to improve access to healthcare, prevent disease, and promote healthy lifestyles.

- Feminist activists

Feminist activism is the pursuit of action to end discrimination and violence against women and girls. It aims to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls. Feminist activism can take many forms, including public protests, lobbying lawmakers, and writing letters to the editor.

- LGBTQ+ activists

LGBTQ+ activists are people who work to promote the rights and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. They often organize protests and rallies, lobby politicians, and work to create legal protections for LGBTQ+ people.

- Anti-racist activists

Anti-racist activists are people who work to end discrimination and prejudice against people of color. They may advocate for equal rights and opportunities or work to combat racism in all its forms.

Related: 9 Facts About Social Change

Activist Methods

Political campaigning: This type of activism involves working to elect candidates who support your cause into office. It can be very effective in bringing about social change, but it can also be very time-consuming and expensive.

Protesting: This is a form of activism that involves demonstration and civil disobedience to raise awareness about an issue or pressure those in power to take action. It can be effective, but it can also be dangerous and disruptive.

Community organizing: This type of activism focuses on building relationships and networks within a community to create change from the ground up. It is a more long-term strategy than protesting or political campaigning, but it can effectively bring about lasting social change.

Philanthropy: This type of activism involves making donations of time, money, or resources to organizations working to create social change. It is a way of supporting the work of others and can be very effective, but it is not always possible for everyone to do.

Letter-writing: This type of activism involves writing letters or emails to politicians, journalists, or other decision-makers to raise awareness about an issue or pressure them to take action. It can be effective, but it can also be time-consuming.

Blogging: This type of activism involves writing blogs or posting information online about issues that you care about. It is a way of raising awareness and sharing information with others, and it can be very effective, but it requires a certain amount of technological savvy.

Community service: This type of activism involves volunteering your time to help those in need or to work on projects that benefit the community. It is a way of giving back and can be very effective, but it requires time and energy.

Popular Activist Websites

www.occupy.com

www.blacklivesmatter.com

www.amnesty.org

www.greenpeace.org

www.freethechildren.com

www.humanrightsfirst.org

www.change.org

www.avaaz.org

www.thepetitionsite.com

www.viableoutreach.com

Conclusion

There are many different types of activism, and each has its benefits and drawbacks.

The important thing is to find the type of activism that works best for you and your cause and use it to bring attention to the issues that matter most to you.

There are many great activism websites and resources available online, so there's no excuse not to start today. What issue will you start campaigning for?

12 Forms Of Activism And How They Manifest Worldwide