On becoming an "Activist"

13-11-2019 6:14pm #1

My neighbour, an inoffensive elderly spinster who has pretensions to being an artist, although thus far she hasn't managed to sell any of her art, has recently taken to describing herself on social media as an "activist".

I find this surprising as, to the best of my knowledge - and we converse regularly - her activism consists of attending meetings about matters of local interest: threatened closure of the local post office, changes in the rural link bus timetable and the failure of our Council to cut the hedges on the sides of our country lanes, etc. etc.

She hasn't yet blocked any roads or burnt her bra (DG) although she once sent an angry mail to the County Council about a local pothole.

Is she entitled to describe herself as an "activist" or is she gilding the lily?

The Tetrarch · 13-11-2019 6:36pm

She in under cover.

padd b1975 · 13-11-2019 6:39pm

Dyslexic?

riffmongous · 13-11-2019 6:52pm

Not selling your art doesn't mean you're not an artist. Maybe she's an unappreciated genius..or probably she's just ****, but then she's still a **** artist

Woke Hogan · 13-11-2019 6:55pm

171170 wrote: »

I find this surprising as, to the best of my knowledge - and we converse regularly - her activism consists of attending meetings about matters of local interest: threatened closure of the local post office, changes in the rural link bus timetable and the failure of our Council to cut the hedges on the sides of our country lanes, etc. etc.

That's what activism is.

TheValeyard · 13-11-2019 6:58pm

You have to be activated first. Might need a product code or pay an activation fee.

nthclare · 13-11-2019 7:04pm

Maybe she's dyslexic and think's she's the divel

13-11-2019 7:08pm

Woke Hogan wrote: »

That's what activism is.

I picked a bit of litter up off the footpath once and put it in an adjacent bin. Can I thereby describe myself as an activist?

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts · 13-11-2019 7:12pm

171170 wrote: »

I picked a bit of litter up off the footpath once and put it in an adjacent bin. Can I thereby describe myself as an activist?

Well, the lady the OP describes attends meetings about different things. Surely you can see the difference?

ampleforth · 13-11-2019 7:14pm

171170 wrote: »

I picked a bit of litter up off the footpath once and put it in an adjacent bin. Can I thereby describe myself as an activist?

Totally, make sure you post it on FB... so others know ... because this is what activism is all about. Making a difference ... for yourself

13-11-2019 7:16pm

You do tend to see a lot of older women falling into the activist/artist thing..

I think the push to activism is half the problem these days..

Woke Hogan · 13-11-2019 7:18pm

171170 wrote: »

I picked a bit of litter up off the footpath once and put it in an adjacent bin. Can I thereby describe myself as an activist?

No, you're more like a rubbish man. You certainly talk a lot of it.

ampleforth · 13-11-2019 7:20pm

Woke Hogan wrote: »

No, you're more like a rubbish man. You certainly talk a lot of it.

Fight time!!!

ILoveYourVibes · 13-11-2019 7:23pm

Why are you obsessed with her?

mvl · 13-11-2019 7:26pm

she seems to be doing civic/community activism, which is good imo (and different than NGO driven activism ...)
- better than locking herself in the house all day.

13-11-2019 7:28pm

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts wrote: »

Well, the lady the OP describes attends meetings about different things. Surely you can see the difference?

I was at those meeting too - in fact I know she was there, because I drove her!

So yep, I can definitely see the difference! But thanks for your invaluable input.

13-11-2019 7:29pm

Woke Hogan wrote: »

No, you're more like a rubbish man. You certainly talk a lot of it.

You have never heard me speak.

Mad_maxx · 13-11-2019 7:31pm

171170 wrote: »

My neighbour, an inoffensive elderly spinster who has pretensions to being an artist, although thus far she hasn't managed to sell any of her art, has recently taken to describing herself on social media as an "activist".

I find this surprising as, to the best of my knowledge - and we converse regularly - her activism consists of attending meetings about matters of local interest: threatened closure of the local post office, changes in the rural link bus timetable and the failure of our Council to cut the hedges on the sides of our country lanes, etc. etc.

She hasn't yet blocked any roads or burnt her bra (DG) although she once sent an angry mail to the County Council about a local pothole.

Is she entitled to describe herself as an "activist" or is she gilding the lily?

Hard to say, has she a man in her life?

Not having one helps

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts · 13-11-2019 7:31pm

171170 wrote: »

I was at those meeting too - in fact I know she was there, because I drove her!

So yep, I can definitely see the difference! But thanks for your invaluable input.

So why bother asking about whether picking up a piece of litter makes you an activist?

ampleforth · 13-11-2019 7:34pm

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts wrote: »

So why bother asking about whether picking up a piece of litter makes you an activist?

The alternative is lame --- staring at the litter until it disintegrates naturally... or maybe that would be a superpower, and would therefore be highly supported by Marvel...

13-11-2019 7:36pm

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts wrote: »

So why bother asking about whether picking up a piece of litter makes you an activist?

Because I wanted someone intelligent to define the line for me between so-called "activism" and basic civic spirit.

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts · 13-11-2019 7:40pm

171170 wrote: »

Because I wanted someone intelligent to define the line for me between so-called "activism" and basic civic spirit.

If you can’t figure out the line yourself, does that mean you’re not intelligent?

GalwayGrrrrrl · 13-11-2019 7:40pm

Is she building up to becoming a local councillor/politician? She could say she’s been an activist for x number of years which sounds impressive (although means very little).

13-11-2019 7:43pm

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts wrote: »

If you can’t figure out the line yourself, does that mean you’re not intelligent?

If you're unable to work that one out for yourself, where does that leave you?

tdf7187 · 13-11-2019 7:44pm

171170 wrote: »

My neighbour, an inoffensive elderly spinster who has pretensions to being an artist, although thus far she hasn't managed to sell any of her art, has recently taken to describing herself on social media as an "activist".

I find this surprising as, to the best of my knowledge - and we converse regularly - her activism consists of attending meetings about matters of local interest: threatened closure of the local post office, changes in the rural link bus timetable and the failure of our Council to cut the hedges on the sides of our country lanes, etc. etc.

She hasn't yet blocked any roads or burnt her bra (DG) although she once sent an angry mail to the County Council about a local pothole.

Is she entitled to describe herself as an "activist" or is she gilding the lily?

Stalking your elderly neighbour on social media is a bit weird, mate.

13-11-2019 7:49pm

tdf7187 wrote: »

Stalking your elderly neighbour on social media is a bit weird, mate.

She's currently abroad and we communicate via social media as I feed her cats!

Not that it's any of you business, you interfering troll.

ILoveYourVibes · 13-11-2019 7:58pm

171170 wrote: »

She's currently abroad and we communicate via social media as I feed her cats!

Not that it's any of you business, you interfering troll.

Seriously weird.

Also why are you nice to her face if you really feel this way about her? Kinda fake.

GG66 · 13-11-2019 7:59pm

matters of local interest: threatened closure of the local post office, changes in the rural link bus timetable and the failure of our Council to cut the hedges on the sides of our country lanes, etc. etc.

This is really solid local activism, kudos to her. And local activism is really powerful when different local groups are connected together.
I don't see why you're intent on disparaging her. You should try it :-)

People are often reluctant to call themselves "activists" because of the image it evokes in others minds.

Yes, she's an activist. You should thank her.

And people don't become artists to "sell" and it's often not a measure of their success in their own lifetimes.

paleoperson · 13-11-2019 8:02pm

I swear this place has some of the highest response rates to bait on the entire internet.

ILoveYourVibes · 13-11-2019 8:06pm

paleoperson wrote: »

I swear this place has some of the highest response rates to bait on the entire internet.

Sadly i have learnt what you think is baiting or a joke the op is usually taking deadly serious. And those you think are trolls are also deadly serious.

Real trolls are more subtle these days.

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts · 13-11-2019 8:11pm

171170 wrote: »

If you're unable to work that one out for yourself, where does that leave you?

I’m not the one asking the question.

On becoming an "Activist"

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