Making a movement : an exploration of how ‘Moviment Graffitti’ members create community through activism

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation was to investigate the motivations for and experience of activism in a radical leftist NGO – this was achieved through the use of participant observation and semi-structured interviews with members of ‘Moviment Graffitti’ throughout the latter half of 2022 and January-February of 2023. Out of my research, three themes which capture the reasons for engaging in activism in Malta emerged: specific notions of activism, experiences of disenfranchisement, and the building and maintaining of community. I argue that the political context which ‘Graffitti’ inhabits shapes the members, and that its influence is reflected in their views and experiences. I then argue that the sense of disenfranchisement which Malta’s political context brings about is battled by members of ‘Graffitti’ with activism and the building of community through activism.