Social and Political Action: Active Engagement

Definition of Social Action “Social action is the practice of taking action – usually as part of an organized group or community – to create positive change. Sometimes social action can lead to profound social change, as in the case of the Civil Rights Movement; sometimes social action seeks more limited and specific changes – the preservation of an open space, for example, or better pay for a specific group of workers.” University of Kansas Community Toolbox Definition of Social Activism Taking action to create social change. Social activism is part of the larger domain of social movements.

George & Leidner (2019) Definition of Political Action Political engagement that can take on many different forms, including voting, contributing money to a candidate or political group, working or volunteering for a campaign, attending a campaign event or contacting an elected official. Pew Research Center

Active Forms of Advocacy Examples:

• Voting

• Signing Petitions

• Taking an active role in issues that affect you

• Taking an active role in issues that affect your clients

• Keeping track of how legislators votes

• Writing to legislators, Calling Legislators on behalf of a certain issue

• Actively Campaign

• Encouraging others to participate in rallies/marches

• Participating/contributing to groups that affect policy

• Participating in rallies/marches

• Voicing my opinion in the media

• Attending public hearings

• Testifying at federal, state, or local hearings

Source:

Rome, S. H. & Hoechstetter, S. (2010). Social work and civic engagement: The political participation of professional social workers. The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 37(3), 107-129

Resources to help inform the social or political action you can take: From AdvanceSocialJustice.net:

• Templates and Tips for Writing to Legislators
  

• Phone Scripts and Tips for Calling Legislators
  

• Guidance on using Social Media
  

• Find Your Legislators

Websites and Guides:

• Community Tool Box- Section 4: Social Action
  

• Charity Navigator
  

• Justice Begins at Home: Strengthening Social Justice Advocacy in the U.S. by the Advocacy Institute
  

• The Four Roles of Social Activism by Bill Moyer

Podcasts:

• Social Work Conversations: Episode 25 – Lobby Day Pt. 1 – Advocacy by Social Workers in the Political Arena with Shannon Moody, UK PhD Social Work student and Policy Director at Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA)
  

• Social Work Conversations: Episode 26 – Lobby Day Pt. 2 – Advocacy by Social Workers in the Political Arena with Brenda Rosen (NASW-KY) and students Tori Monnett, Shyan Stivers, and Daniel Beasley
  

• Doin’ the Work: Frontline Stories of Social Change: Episode 44 Civil Rights Organizing - Alesandra Lozano, MSW

Staying Safe When Participating in Social Activism:

• Staying safe: Protective strategies for activists – The Commons Social Change Library
  

• How to Protest Safely – National Resources Defense Council
  

• Toolkit: Protest safety Tips from Greenpeace – Greenpeace

Self-Care

• Syllabus on Self-Care and Wellness for Social Justice Activists – Texas A&M University Office For Diversity
  

• Self-Love and Self-Care: A Guide for Activists – Planned Parenthood of Iowa
  

• Self-Care as Social Justice – University of Pittsburgh