There is a life before activism: embodied emotions during the childhood and youth of activists related to gender, racism, and climate change matters in Portugal

Abstract

What is the influence of early life trajectories, filled with experiences, encounters and emotions, on young to-be activists? Based on qualitative research done for the project “ArtCitizenship – youth and the arts of citizenship: creative practices, participatory culture and activism” (2019-2022), this article looks into individual trajectories, during childhood and youth, of 30 activists in Portugal. The collected data presents a set of “before activism” categories that reveal the importance of including early-life experiences to better understand future involvement with activism and social movements. One is not born an activist, actions for a given cause are a response to cumulative interactions and emotions felt from very early years. It shows how bodily-inscribed are the personal experiences and how, more than an interest in activism, there can be a physical and emotional urge for it.