This summer has been a historic one for digital activism. The concept of digital activism is the combination of being an activist and a digital leader. Cambridge defines activism as “the use of direct and noticeable action to achieve a result, usually a political or social one”. The TeachThought Staff describe being a digital leader by the actions of using the internet and social media “to learn and share learning, to empower others with no voice, to address societal inequality, to promote important causes, and to be a more positive influence in the lives of others”.
One recommendation that Pinon writes about in coverage of activism in the media is to share people-focused visuals that relate to your message. This is something that I found interesting based on my experience this summer. Many warnings were given by members going to protests in Minneapolis not to share photos of the faces of other protesters, this is because protesters could be identified and their lives could be negatively impacted by participating in the protests. There were many concerns of facial recognition software being used by the police which Malkia Devich-Cyril explains a 2015 incident where this occurred. I share this photo to the right to promote an important movement and to further humanize digital activism. However, I also share it with the assumption that the individuals pictured have given permission to have their photos taken and shared.
I am a 20 something white straight cis-gendered able-bodied female. With this I have an immense amount of privilege. This summer I spent a lot of time learning. Learning from those who shared petitions, stories, articles, and more. I spent time on linktrees looking at the resources that others shared. I am incredibly grateful for those I follow on Instagram that started and continue to share resources, for those who shared the content of Black creators that I now follow. For a long time I was hesitant to join TikTok for security concerns, but I finally joined this summer with the intention of creating a space to hear the voices of BIPOC creators. I have worked hard to maintain this space for myself and any time that I am shown funny, recommended content, I hesitate to follow the creator if it will obstruct that BIPOC space.
Social Media is an important tool to create change. By sharing voices and perspectives on important issues we can together change the way that people vote on those issues. If a proposed bill may violate someone’s human rights, we should oppose it. If a current system is prejudiced against a certain group we should abolish or reform it. By sharing content, you may not be inflicting major, immediate change, but you are getting issues heard and opinions changed which impacts the vote. In recent weeks, one of my favorite forms of digital activism has been those encouraging others to research for their local elections. So frequently people ignore the local elections like city council positions that decide so much. It is the City Council that can choose how much money goes towards the police system. Whether or not they agree with your views on where your money should go is important.
“Don’t tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I’ll tell you what they are.” — James W Frick
