The Difference Between Advocacy and Activism, and Why it Matters

Matt Knierim, PhD, MSW, MPA, LMSW, Troy University

Jalonta Jackson, MSW, LMSW, Troy University

Across multiple disciplines, students and practitioners alike are encouraged to play an active role in influencing policy decisions that impact the individuals, families, and communities that they serve. While the mandates are clear, the way(s) in which those in the helping professions can, and should, go about fulfilling these charges is often left to the discretion of the individual and the opportunities that present themselves. That means that for those of us interested in addressing social inequity, shaping public policy, and improving outcomes for specific populations and communities, it is imperative that we critically examine how we are going about reaching our respective ends. Afterall, eliciting policy change necessitates that we pair our passion with viable strategies.

In order to maximize our impact in the policymaking process, we must first address a fundamental question, “Is there a difference between advocacy and activism?” If such a distinction does exist, this raises a myriad of other important questions. For example, how does one determine which approach to use and when? Is there a unique skillset for each, and if so, what are those skills? Is the choice between advocacy and activism determined by the individual or by the issue? Can a person be both an advocate and an activist? And finally, in a highly complex social and political environment, how do we ultimately measure the effectiveness of each? Simply put, we need to better understand whether the difference in advocacy and activism is semantic or strategic.

How we in the helping professions choose to answer each of these questions has important educational and professional implications. Educationally, we must ask, are we adequately equipping students to understand the potential nuances between advocacy and activism so that they can meaningfully engage in advocacy and activism efforts? If not, are we comfortable setting them up for failure and frustration as we send them out into an increasingly crowded and contentious political landscape? Professionally, are we utilizing what are often scarce resources to shape policy in the most economical and impactful fashion? Are we appropriately responding to dynamic political contexts with measured best-practices, or are we just doing what we do because it is all that we know how to do?

Forums like SPSSI’s 2019 Annual Conference, and sessions like this interactive discussion, allow those of us who share a common passion or curiosity the opportunity to participate in a forum where there is the freedom and expectation to explore new and exciting ideas, wrestle with difficult questions, and reinvigorate our true passions. I know that we are not alone in our gratitude for the opportunity to have been a part of such an enriching experience. 

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