ABSTRACT
This essay encourages social movements to experiment with playful forms of protest. In the 1910s, activists working for women’s voting rights enacted a variety of stunts to get their message across, stunts that included climbing mountains, flying airplanes, and swimming long distances. Instead of just garnering media attention, however, the histrionics were also utilitarian, building broader public support and increasing group integration as well. Playful protest enlivened the women’s movement, encouraging activists to engage in long-term organizing and connecting members to one another more intimately. This essay considers the advantages of playful advocacy, suggesting that today’s social movements can learn from past activists’ counterintuitive and enjoyable tactics.
