Does Activism Work? Being a Social Activist in Today’s World

Top of Mind with Julie Rose

The word “activist” tends to scare off a lot of people. And you may be wondering, does activism work? We often associate activism with social protests and political marches which get a lot of attention and can spark violence, but do they generate change? Iff we thought about activism differently, would more of us be motivated to work for change? In this podcast episode, we look to the example of Rosa Parks who did so much more than refuse to give up her seat on a segregated bus. And we consider why viral hashtags on social media rarely lead to big, lasting change. Plus, how a new definition of activism could motivate more of us to work on making the world a better place. Podcast Guests: HH Leonards, founder of The O Street Museum and Mansion in Washington, DC and author of “Rosa Parks Beyond the Bus: Life, Lessons and Leadership” Gal Beckerman, senior editor for books at The Atlantic, author of “The Quiet Before: On the Unexpected Origins of Radical Ideals.” Emma Petty Adams and Jennifer Walker Thomas, co-executive directors of MWEG (Mormon Women for Ethical Government) Karen Walrond, author of "The Lightmaker's Manifesto: How to Work for Change Without Losing Your Joy"