Online activism.. is it effective
I would define online activism as a method of sharing information, stories, and news related to current and relevant social just issues, as well as in response to events, through social media websites and other digital forms of communication. Anyone can really be an online activist, and to do so, you really just have to be an active social media user, who continues to share, post, and interact with other activists, about relevant social justice issues. Online activism relates to digital leadership, by giving social media users the opportunity to be active and participate in social justice issues, as well as take leadership roles by going beyond the online activism, and being the leader and organizer of movements or real-life protests.
I can understand the point of view of someone who believes that simply reposting and liking content online that is related to social justice issues, and calling that “online activism” is the bare-minimum and isn’t considered “real activism”. However, I also believe that although it is somewhat the bare-minimum, it is better than not interacting or learning about these issues at all. The bare-minimum won’t make much change in the real world, but change can be made through online activism when it is coupled with careful organization and communication, which can build inclusive and connected movements (Pinon, 2019). The Pinon article shares how exactly online activism can be performed in ways that do make change, for example through story-telling, uplifting impacted voices, and sharing news and information (Pinon, 2019). With the addition of the internet and social media sites, activism and the start of movements can be accomplished easier and quicker, and can reach even more people.
Using these digital tools are important for making a difference, mainly because these tools are accessible to many, and especially to people impacted who may otherwise not have the opportunity to have a voice and share their stories. According to the “activism in the social media age” article, Black Americans believe social media promotes important issues and gives voice to underrepresented groups” (Anderson, Toor, Rainie, & Smith, 2018). Because the mainstream news doesn’t focus much of social justice issues (other than when they are trending on social media or right after or tragedy happens), issues and stories aren’t talked about from the perspective of people impacted by issues, in which social media gives the opportunity to share their stories, as well as for others to uplift and repost the stories of those impacted, spreading awareness and making these issues harder to ignore.
One case study regarding online activism I read about and actually participated in, is the #ALSicebucketchallenge of 2014, where people donated $41.8 million to the ALS association, as well as participated in the viral trend of dumping a bucket of ice and water on their heads! The dare was shared with the hashtag, in which people tagged friends in, and almost everyone I knew had done it and posted the video, tagging others and raising awareness.
My #ALSIceBucketChallenge down below (embarrassing)
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/hashtag-activism-hashtag10-twitter-trends-dresslik/
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/07/11/activism-in-the-social-media-age/
