What if we told you the best way to take down a dictator might involve… an alpaca? Or a sex strike? Or smacking a barrel with a baseball bat in the middle of a street?
No, this isn’t a fever dream. It’s a strategy, pulled from the real, wild, world-tested playbook of Gene Sharp, the political scientist whose writings helped spark revolutions from Serbia to Sudan.
In May, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof reminded readers of Sharp’s legacy, spotlighting three tactics that have worked again and again to undermine autocrats:
- Mockery that makes power look ridiculous
- Shining a light on hypocrisy and corruption
- Telling personal stories that humanize injustice
Sound familiar?
That’s basically our Tuesday.
At the Center for Artistic Activism, these aren’t just talking points; they’re our tools of the trade. We believe the most effective movements are surprising, joyful, and strategic as hell. Because if you want people to join you, not just agree with you, you’ve got to move more than their minds. You’ve got to move their hearts. Their bodies. Their laughter. Their curiosity. Their hope.
It’s why artistic activism can be the difference, like:
- Using humor to short-circuit fear
- Crafting a story that sticks deeper than a soundbite
- Staging creative actions that make injustice impossible to ignore
We’re not here to complain louder. We’re here to win smarter.
So what can you do today?
Want to dive deeper?
Supercharge your next campaign with our Action Energizer Lab’s greatest hits – the boldest insights, brightest tactics, and most contagious moments from a fast-paced workshop on how creative activism actually works in practice.
Ready for the next one?
Supercharge your next campaign with our Action Energizer Lab’s greatest hits – the boldest insights, brightest tactics, and most contagious moments from a fast-paced workshop on how creative activism actually works in practice.
Have a campaign in the works?
Snag a slot in our Advocacy Org’s Office Hours – we’ll help you sharpen your strategy and make it unforgettable.
Still thinking about that alpaca?
Us too. His name is Grass-Mud Horse. He’s fictional, furious, and filthy-mouthed in Mandarin. And somehow, a symbol of freedom. If he can do it, so can you.
Because, as Gene Sharp said:
“Dictators are never as strong as they tell you they are. And people are never as weak as they think they are.”
Onward (and slightly offbeat),
C4AA
