What is Craftivism? Division over the Definition Explodes an Etsy Team
Now, this may read as a little gossipy, since I, myself, am a member of this team (for now, the reasons for which you’ll soon see), but I think these recent struggles within one group of crafters are important to share, because they say a lot about where our contemporary culture is right now, politically, socially, even globally.
You see, the Craftivism Etsy Team recently had a really big fight, so big that a lot of us actually left the team. Feelings are still hurt, and a lot of those who are left for now are left wondering exactly what our team is, after all, and what it actually stands for.
What did we fight about, you ask?
We fought about the definition of craftivism.
- » See also: A Review of the Green Guide for Artists
- » Get Crafting a Green World by RSS or sign up by email.
Etsy Teams are groups of etsy sellers who come together because they have something in common, anything from what they sell to where they live to what they believe. Some Etsy Teams are loosely structured, some are highly structured, but all, however casual or organized, have a profile, a mission statement of sorts. Here’s the Team Craftivism profile:
The Etsy Craftivism Team is a team of progressive Etsyans who believe that craft and art can change the world. Some of us use our work to carry messages of protest and political activism. Others believe that the act of making craft can be an act of resistance. Still others see that by buying and selling directly from the maker we are challenging the all pervasive corporate culture that promotes profit over people. Some of our members make t-shirts, jewelry, pottery, and art with creative,thought-provoking messages. Others spin yarn, sew, hammer, forge, glue, knit, knot, alter and sculpt with an eye towards creating new forms of commerce and the making of goods. We gather to learn about and promote each other’s work; to learn about how art and craft are being used as acts of resistance and change around the world, and to creatively join forces in order to spend less, sell more, and empower each other so that we can work towards a more hopeful, thoughtful future.
Sounds good, right? And it is good–this is a good mission statement, and a good team. I became a Craftivist because I believe in DIY as personal empowerment, that instead of relying on the mass-market commercial culture, we can be in charge of the literal creation of our own wants and needs. I was also interested in how others utilized the act of craft to struggle for change, or achieve power, or practice resistance. Please forgive me–I’m an academic.
The problem arose very recently when the team leadership, during a virtual meeting, just sort of mentioned, in the context of another discussion, that the Craftivism Team has a liberal political agenda.
Yep, a specific political agenda. And the leadership also seemed quite surprised to hear that a LOT of team members not only had no idea that the Craftivism Team was even supposed to be politically liberal, but that these members were themselves not politically liberal.
Indeed, we had some right-wing craftivists on our team. Some were so offended by the immediate conversation that they left the team then and there, but as others stuck around, and the discussion continued over email over the course of a few days, several team members suggested that the definition of craftivism not be so tied to a political agenda (yes, you caught me, I’m one of these members).
What is craftivism, if it is tied to a specific political agenda? Well, it’s not only limited to American politics, but to one brand of American politics. It’s uninterested in how other political activists, other citizens in other countries, themselves use the act of crafting as activism. It’s implying that much of the work of crafting–buying and selling directly from the maker, challenging corporate culture, tying a work to a thought-provoking message–is necessarily politically liberal within the American system of politics. And I don’t think that’s true.
Our leadership thinks it is, though. Whatever craftivism the word means, Craftivism the Etsy Team is remaining (for now) implicitly (though still not explicitly, I believe) tied to a liberal political agenda, and the team profile is meant to be read through such a lens. I’m not sure what procedure the leadership is now going to use to vet potential members to make sure there’s no more right-wing craftivism in our midst, so perhaps we’ll fill back up again before things come again to a head. I might stick around, because I really am interested in crafting for change, and I actually am politically liberal (although I don’t think craftivism itself has to be). It would be fun, perhaps, to branch out and form my own etsy team focused around an idea of craftivism that’s less limited politically or geographically…
But another etsy team already has that Craftivism name.
What do you think craftivism means?
[...] recently been debating the definition of craftivism here on Crafting a Green [...]
The term “craftivism” more and more is becoming an everyday term, known and used widely by anyone who has an interest in “making”… Despite this specific Etsy team having created the term, now the gate is open and the horse has bolted! I wish you luck if you want the word to remain untouched by conservative ‘craftivists’… Fantastic to be talking about the issue though.
PS I am from Australia where the Liberal Party are the major conservative political party! Ha ha! It’s like a bad joke for my US friends…
First of all, I want to say that this is a very interesting discussion, and an even more interesting turn of events. I am an Etsy seller, and had never heard of the group or the term “craftivism”, though I wish I had.
To me, the discussion, not the mention the hubbub, is a powerful reflection of the power of words and language, which, in this cyberworld, are all we have.
I will admit I am confused at the statement from several people that, if the group had wanted to be identified as liberal, that they use the word “progressive” (or the like) in their statement. They *did*.
I think we could argue all night about whether the word “progressive” implies liberal (even though the two are listed as synonyms in nearly every online dictionary). We can insist that of course, some people who are politically conservative consider themselves “progressive” people interested in activism and protest. Sure, why not?
At the same time, it is naive and simplistic, in my view, to pretend as if we don’t know, at least in the U.S., the common usage of words in their political context (as soon as you’re talking activism, you’re talking politics, of one sort or another). It’s a sad statement, but it is undeniable that words and phrases have are evolutionary and have been defined and continue to be defined by our culture.
I mean, come on, folks. We all know that “progressive” is used as a synonym for “liberal”. We all know that “family values” means something that reflects a particular sociopolitical ideology, and that to join a “family values” group, in general, when you are a lesbian pro-choice mom (that’s me) is just…well, let’s just say “misplaced”. When the words “activist judges” was bandied about by the right wing (it’s still being used) after some rulings in favor of gay marriage, they weren’t using the word “activist” as neutral. These are not necessarily “definitional” uses of words, but they are defined by usage. And for the most part, we all know it.
I hate it that words come to be “owned” by this group or another when they are really just words. But it’s reality.
When I read the mission statement as posted, it seems blatantly clear to me that this group was liberal and therefore very likely to be on the left politically.
I really don’t get how that could have come as a surprise.
[...] And an piece from our very own member Julie Finn (pumpkinbear): What is Craftivism? Division over the Definition Explodes on Etsy Team [...]
How about Craftists United! You could have Craftism - Leftys and Craftism - Righty’s and Craftism on the Fence, but if we really want change wouldn’t it be better to be “Craftists United”?
I am not an etsy member and I haven’t really been involved with the debate. My perception of craftivism is using traditional craft materials in non traditional ways to make a social or political statement. I hadn’t really thought of it as being unique to one political ideology or culture.
[...] perhaps somebody will smear your name all over the Internet because you disagree about the usage of the word craftivism, perhaps someone else will comment on one of your blog posts and call you retarded because you [...]
[...] Political agendas: the Etsy Craftivism team on Crafting a Green World. There was a flap on political leanings within the ranks. Do you have [...]
Truely, my hope for Craftivism is that it transcends traditional political groupings and adopt a more independent mindset — A case-by-case consideration of issues with new solutions and activism. This thoughtful approach seems like it would have such great potential locally and globally. But then again, I’m not much for staying within the lines…