‘Lived experience’ is valued in activism – but is it doing more harm than good?

Those without direct experience of an issue can find their place in activism questioned, but an emphasis on personal testimony can shift activism away from political action, toward guilt, polarisation and disengagement, writes Dr Jody Moore-Ponce

(Left to right) Moninne Griffith, CEO of Belong To, Rory O’Neill, artist, and Katherine Zappone at last week's national LGBT+ youth organisation Belong To’s event in Dublin to mark 10 years since the marriage equality referendum. File picture: Marc O'Sullivan

The idea of “lived experience” – knowledge gained through direct, personal experience – is now central in activism, academia and politics. 

Popularised by feminist thinkers like Simone de Beauvoir and concepts like standpoint theory, it makes sense that people see the world differently based on what they’ve been through. And movements like #MeToo showed how sharing personal stories, particularly for oppressed, marginalised or victimised groups, can drive real change.