How to be a Craftivist: The Art of Gentle Protest

by Sarah Corbett

You will see how craftivism street art and public activities can not only intrigue passers-by but can engage even more people, reaching different audiences online around the world, creating thoughts, conversations and action in places social justice isn’t often discussed.

Gentleness is not a weak form of protesting, it’s not mild or non-assertive. It requires self-control when what we feel is anger or sadness when we see injustice. It requires thoughtfulness to understand the context of the situation and empathy to help understand people’s views and actions. We need tact to know what’s the best way to tackle the problem and we need concern for all involved.

Betsy Greer coined the term ‘craftivism’ in 2003 and defines it as ‘a way of looking at life where voicing opinions through creativity makes your voice stronger, your compassion deeper’.1

On the other hand, craft is often used in a dismissive way to describe women crafting clothes for family and other items in private, an activity that does not receive the same respect as male-dominated activities in public. Worse still, for some of us the word still has ties to keeping women in subservient roles in society throughout history.

For example, we can make, thread and weave our values through all that we do.