DIE ROL VAN TAALAKTIVISME BY DIE HERWAARDERING VAN ...

aktivisme teen sensorskap, gay/lesbiese aktivisme en selfs aandeelhouersaktivisme.
Sommige aktivistiese bewegings is streeksgebonde, terwyl andere nasionaal of
internasionaal voorkom. “They signal sociopolitical mutations; unprecedented demands
for participation and influence in political life; the increasing powers that groups can gain
by their discourse and actions; the longing to effect social change around the world; the
collective bonding of individuals in order to make their voices heard” (Kontra, 1999:47).
Aktivisme kan beskou word as enige bewustelike aksie wat daarop gemik is om
verandering te bewerkstellig. Hierdie verandering kan sosiaal of polities wees. Die aksie
kan vír of téén ’n gewoonlik kontroversiële argument wees. Die Patriot Union of
America (PUA) bied die volgende definisies vir aktivisme aan:
“The use of direct, often confrontational action, such as a demonstration or strike,
in opposition to or support of a cause.
Activism, in a general sense, can be described as intentional action or inaction to
bring about social or political change. This action is in support of, or opposition
to, one side of an often controversial argument.
The use of peaceful and organized direct and indirect citizen action, by special
interest or public interests groups, in opposition to, or support of, a cause or
proposed solution (typically relating to law).
The organization of a democratically principled citizenry toward providing
benefit to a cause or ensuring a solution that government is either unwilling or
incapable of providing without direct intervention from the citizenry”.
Schugurensky (2007:1) beskryf aktivisme as enige bewustelike aksie, individueel of
gesamentlik, wat die skep van ’n beter wêreld ten doel het. Dit is ’n wêreld waar elke
burger tot sy volle potensiaal kan ontwikkel en wat gekenmerk word deur demokrasie,
vrede, regverdigheid en vooruitgang. Schugurensky erken egter ook dat daar ’n ander tipe
aktivisme bestaan wat in die teenoorgestelde rigting beweeg. Hy noem eersgenoemde
sosiaal-regsgeoriënteerde aktivisme of aktivisme vir demokrasie. Hy noem verder dat,
wanneer die woord aktivisme ter sprake kom, beelde van proteste, demonstrasies,
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