“I’m not an activist – I don’t have the right shoes!”

Someone kindly wrote a bio for me a few years ago when I ran for the Senedd (Welsh Parliament). “Helen is an activist….” . Wait, what? Am I? The word activist completely freaked me out.

I have no idea what shoes would qualify me as an activist. This was the first time I became consciously aware of my personal resistance to labels and stereotypes. Not wanting to be contained within a box.

·       Yes, I attend a protest once in a while – does this make me an activist?

·       Yes, I write about environment, health and social justice - does this make me an activist?

·       What about those of us who enjoy mission-led work in climate, sustainability and the environment. Are we all activists?

I recently asked a climate professional if he considered himself more of an activist or a professional. It prompted a long debate, raising more questions than answers.  

My mission to explore identity politics continues. Last week I complained to a fellow author that I didn’t want to be pigeonholed as an environmental writer. Her response was simple – you are not writing about environmental solutions- you are writing about solutions for humanity.

Well, that’s a relief.

What labels are you resisting and what does this tell you? Take this 2-minute quiz, to find your Climate Persona, and release who you think you need to be.