Penguin+Books).


 * "**He rejected suggestions that he should be an advocate for homosexuals.'Though I'm open about being gay, I do not perceive myself as being an activist of any sort,' he said. 'The book has a point of view, but I reject advocacy journalism. I'm just your basic reporter'" (Reinhold, 1987). In Reinhold, R. (1987, Oct. 31). AIDS book brings fame to gay San Franciscan. //The New York Times.// Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com

Shilts' "point of view" is in itself a form of activism. From just the first few pages of the book, it is clear that Shilts' polemic style of writing is meant to instigate action on behalf of the readers. By denying that the book is type of activism, what type of politics is Shilts also rejecting? The term activism, like innovation or politics, is one that is used so frequently that it can often have little meaning. Beyond being overused and/or underdefined, what is the relationship between activism, politics, and innovation?