What is activism? The word "activism" is only about 100 years old, at least in its current usage, and it comes from the English verb "to act" to be active. An activist is someone who takes an active part in campaigns for some kind of change and change, usually in the political or social field. Activism is what activists do, the methods they use to bring about change. Two peace activists organized public name readings at the entrance to a house in Downing Street, where the British prime...