| Gentle protest | |
| Yearsactive: | 2015 - |
| Majorfigures: | Sarah Corbett |
Gentle protest is an approach to activism[1] which aims to change hearts, minds, policies and laws through thoughtful and compassionate actions. Its intent is to invite reflection and respectful conversation rather than division. It is purposefully non-aggressive in nature.[2]
Its name first came from a 2015 exhibition by Sarah Corbett at Föreningen Handarbetets Vänner in Stockholm which aimed to show that protests do not always have to be aggressive. The message of the exhibition was: "If we want our world to be more beautiful, kind & just, then our activism should be beautiful, kind & just".[3] The exhibition was shown at Helsinki Design Week[4] and as part of The Future Is Present exhibition at Designmuseum Denmark.
Corbett is an activist, Ashoka fellow, author and founder of the Craftivist Collective, a global social enterprise for individuals, groups and organisations to learn how to use crafts as a tool for activism.[5] She has said that ‘gentleness’ - which is not passive or weak - is the golden thread that creates real positive impact in her work.[6]
In 2017 she wrote a book, How To Be A Craftivist: The Art of Gentle Protest,[7] and ran a six-week online course titled "The School of Gentle Protest"[8] as part of a project funded by Arts Council England in collaboration with the University of Lincoln. Visiting professors included Orsola de Castro of Fashion Revolution and Catherine Howarth, CEO of ShareAction.[9]
Gentle protest has been used as a framework by groups in Potsdam,[10] the Lake District,[11] and at WWF to protest on a broad range of issues. Corbett has worked with organisations including The Scout Association.[12]