The interesting premise of this book is the idea that protesting can be gentle, even pretty while still drawing attention to the wrongs of our world. Often small objects to be handed out during a protest or mementos like embroidered handkerchiefs can be used. The author also addresses activities like yarn bombing. The author's vision is that there are gentle and beautiful ways to bring ugly and horrible wrongs into the light and hopefully fix them.
read 11/7/2023 ( )

In How to be a Craftivist: The Art of Gentle Protest, author Sarah Corbett offers insight on how to help improve the world in a beautiful, gentle and loving way.

Throughout the ages, we’ve always protested what we felt to be injustices or wrongs in our society. Protests have run the gamut of disapproving looks, all the way to horrible mass destruction and murder. The latter can’t be supported, and the former is insufficient.

Many people will completely shut down if you start yelling at them. I turn right off and barely even acknowledge the existence of the other person when I’m being yelled at. The fastest way to get nothing of what you’re trying to achieve is to yell at somebody. Nobody wants to help somebody who is screaming at them.

Enter the Art of Gentle Protest, Craftivism. In the spirit of you can gather more flies with honey, the author suggests a more gentle form of protest.

The book begins with a brief introduction from the author, including her backstory. Part One of the book includes definitions of Craftivism and Gentle Protest.

Part Two of the book covers the Power in the Process. With sections covering Slow Activism, Mindful Activism, Crafter Thoughts, Communal Crafting, and Inner Activism. These five sections describe the various ways of channeling your crafting process.

With Part Three, you learn the Power in the Product. Sections include The Gift, Graceful Activism, Compete with Beauty, The Message, and Catalyst not Conclusion. These sections describe various ways to use your craft to support your activism.

Part Four of the book “Power in the Public Sphere”, includes chapters on Intriguing Craftivism, Pretty Protests, Wearing your Convictions, Reaching Out, Shareability, and Measuring Success. These would be your more public demonstrations of Craftivism.

The book ends with a brief Epilogue and a few pages entitled “Wellmaking Clinic” where you’ll find information on how to alleviate some of your concerns and anxieties.

Lots Of Great Information

In all, there is a lot of really good information and ideas here, Craftivism is definitely something to look into. Given the title of the book, however, I was rather hoping for more of a how-to manual not a how I did it story.

Reviewed for LnkToMi iRead in response to a complimentary copy of the book provided by the publisher in hopes of an honest review. ( )