Lockdown. ‘And boom, you’re not an activist anymore’

With the COVID19 pandemic sweeping around the world and lockdown measures being in effect in many countries, public or social life has changed dramatically for many people. In fact, for some people, there might hardly be any participation in public or social life at the moment. Or the medium for their social relations has changed dramatically, from having face to face physical encounters on a daily basis with colleagues, family and friends, to mere digital exchanges.

For me, as for some other chronically ill or disabled persons, my day to day schedule under lockdown really hasn’t changed that much (although my fysio, music lesson and unfortunately also some medical check ups have been cancelled). No longer being professionally involved since several years, and not having the energy to partake in many outdoors activities, I spend much of my time at home anyway. Outdoor excursions are a rarity, and a shopping trip, concert, meet up with friends or restaurant visit usually means I have to plan recuperation time before and after the event because of the effort it takes. Although I love doing those things, they are draining. There are 24 hours in a day for everyone, but I’m living in ‘crip time’, or as I like to refer to it: I’m living parttime. I can only effectively use a fraction, a parttime portion of those 24 hours to really ‘live’.

Although my ‘living time’ is limited, that doesn’t mean I don’t do any animal rights or vegan activism any more. In fact, I spend most of my available time being ‘active’ for animals and in essence still consider myself an animal rights activist. I write blogs and share information about animal rights and veganism on my platforms Graswortels, Bruges Vegan and Crip Humanimal and am an ambassador for Happy Cow, the worldwide vegan restaurant guide. Occassionaly I give a presentation about veganism or animal rights at a festival or other event. The last couple of months I spent a great amount of time on editorial work on a book with a collection of essays and interviews with female animal rights and vegan activists in Belgium and the Netherlands (see Een Ander Soort Zuster, coming out later this year). And at home I take care of a couple of dozen adopted animals.

With public life coming to a standstill because of lockdown regulations, I have seen several animal rights activists claiming that ‘activism is on hold for now’. With no more gatherings, ‘non-essential’ outdoor activities allowed, that means no more demonstrations, outreach events, potlucks, baring witness at slaughterhouses, marches, occupations or disruptions. So what’s left then?

Activism in essence means ‘being active for the animals’. Even when you can’t turn to the street to spread the word, there are so many other ways to stand in solidarity with animals and fight for their rights.

Plenty! There are so many other forms of activism, even in times of lockdown (see also this article: Staying active for the animals during a pandemic). Use social media to get the word out about veganism and animal rights. Now more than ever, people rely on social media to connect and communicate. Lobby public institutions to provide vegan meals, to put animal rights on the agenda. Prepare publications, do interviews with stakeholders. Take the time in isolation to get yourself more educated on animal rights and social justice issues. Volunteer at an animal sanctuary or shelter. get into the kitchen and provide vegan meals to those who are in need. Do accounting or administration for an organisation. Hold online workshops, debates and screenings. The list is endless!
Activism in essence means ‘being active for the animals’. Even when you can’t turn to the street to spread the word, there are so many other ways to stand in solidarity with animals and fight for their rights.

It made me think of this poster which did the rounds on social media about a year ago. It shows a person with an ‘oh dear’ hand over mouth expression, near a street sign, which reads: “Imagine they delete Facebook and Instagram. And Boom, you’re not an activist anymore”. That poster always struck me as quite condescending, belittling or downplaying social media activism, and – although maybe implicitly – granting more ‘cred’ to street activism. With activists who don’t partake in demos, marches, rallies, outreach or other street activism, doing more ‘behind the scenes’ or less visible forms of activism not really being considered ‘true’ activists.
That poster also holds an ableist connotation. Activism through social media might be the only form of activism accessible for some disabled or chronically ill people. Or it can simply be the preferred form of activism for introvert people, not keen on face to face contact or being part of large group.

To drive the point home, I have adjusted the poster: “Imagine you ‘can’t go outside, to reach out, demo or march. And boom, you’re not an activist anymore.”
Doesn’t sound right, does it?

To be clear: it’s not my intention to start an ‘activism olympics’ battle or debate. Although some forms of activism might be more effective than others (not only depending on the format, but also on the message being brought), and some definitely entail more ‘status’ among the activist community, I believe each form of activism has its value. And the most important thing is to find a form of activism that you like, that you are good at, and that you are comfortable doing. Keeping in mind that there’s so many more ways to be active for animals than street activism.