Book Description

Activism that Works shares stories from 86 activists involved with nine groups and organizations across Canada. Like a necklace with magic beyond its individual beads, thoughts and people interconnect to create rich stories about the meanings of success in activist work. How can we understand "success" in relation to social justice and environmental activism? In separate chapters from groups as diverse as Oxfam Canada, the Calgary Raging Grannies and the Youth Project of Halifax, activists contemplate their successes and how they were achieved. What becomes apparent is that success is not only indicated through large-scale social changes but is also found in moments of connection - in building relationships and raising awareness. Success and what contributes to it are sometimes interchangeable so that the "doing" of activism becomes a part of its effectiveness. Building on activists' stories, additional chapters contextualize and analyze success within social justice activism in Canada. Understanding their work as a contribution to the movements challenging the domination of free market ideology, the editors hope this book will offer a space for reflecting on the contributions and impacts of activist groups - and provide meaningful insights into what success means in the struggle against neoliberal capitalism. Book jacket.