#slacktivism
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It occurred to me, I haven’t had Starbucks or McDonald’s since before October 7, and during that “global strike week” in January I didn’t go to work because I hadn’t started my new job yet. So if you think about it, I’m doing just as much to free Palestine as any “anti Zionist” activist.
And work was busy today so I had a late lunch, which is basically like the Harvard hunger strike.
Now all I have to do is yell at some cancer patients.
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"Don't let Palestine become a trend!"
I'm seeing statements like these a lot. And I agree and sympathize. After all, I've seen leftists pretend to care about Belarus in 2021 for a few months and then suddenly switch causes, never uttering a word about my home again while I still fear for my relatives back in Minsk. It hurts.
But you are naive. Terribly so. Because Palestine - like all "causes" of so called slacktivists already has become a trend. You've seen people who used to be so very vocal about BLM, StopAsianHate, Hong Kong, Belarus, Ukraine and many more suddenly switch their focus, abandoning those causes entirely because they're not "trendy" anymore.
This is performative activism. And leftists are horribly susceptible to it - hell I myself have been guilty of that.
That switching of causes like one might switch fandoms (because this is *the* fandom blogging site) is one thing. Even worse I have seen people say things like "Ukraine is low priority. What's going on in Palestine is worse" which is harrowing and a mortifying thing to say by itself. Some of you who haven't said it aloud might subconsciously think that. This mindset is performative, disrespectful and morally bankrupt.
Because you - yes YOU treat global conflicts like fandom. Jumping from one to another. No longer caring about what used to be your sole focus. It's not activism, this is a cowardly performance. And the same will happen with Palestine. Give it a few more months - or even years. But it will happen eventually. Those of you who right now care so much and loudly will gleefully abandon your "cause" to jump to another, more trendy one.
I'm not saying this to attack anyone. I'm saying this as a wake up call to people who think blogging is activism, to those who treat global conflicts like fandom or football matches. It's many of you to whom this post is directed at.
"Don't let Palestine become a trend" is a dream of naivety. A lie. A fruitless attempt.
"Stop treating Palestine and other global conflicts like trends" is what you instead should say. YOU, yes YOU can change that.
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Maintaining the illusion of being a good person
Since 10/7 there has been a consistent thread that the UN is an arbiter of truth, or something, regarding the conflict because it was reprimanding Israel (and has consistently done so in the past). As such, I often heard from activists that because the UN said something it must be accepted as truth. Now with the publishing of the UN’s report of sexual violence on 10/7 and its findings, I am currently seeing various activists backtrack. Suddenly the UN is no longer trustworthy. Suddenly it’s a corrupt entity run by the Jews Zionists and the report needs to be dismissed as Jewish Zionist propaganda.
It’s almost like their endorsement and justification of violent resistance through any means necessary was a fantasy. Any means necessary doesn’t actually mean that. No “good” resistance fighter against a the colonial oppressor would actually commit atrocities against civilians, right? At least, not in their fantasy uprising.
But it happened, and it has been independently confirmed by one of the organizations they’ve routinely turned to. Now many of these have to deal with the cognitive dissonance that they’re actually not the “good” person they believed they were. Their past comments about believing all victims, supporting victims, that sexual assault is a horrific and people who commit it are monsters, etc… all of that is contradicted by this report.
It’s almost like they either didn’t understand what they were actually endorsing and justifying or they’re realizing that they’re hypocrites masquerading as good people for morality points.
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About to reblog some cute art until I see the artist put an uglyass eye-straining DNI banner right under their drawing.
Doesn’t matter how much I initially liked the art, those DNI banners make me lose all interest.
Not only are they distracting and useless but it also makes me roll my eyes especially hard when I read shit like “usual dni criteria” or “dni racists! dni transphobes!”.
Friend, do you know how many racists and transphobes don’t realize they’re racist and/or transphobic in the first place? People won’t look at your banner and go “aw shucks, I’m too racist for this drawing :(“. And how is “usual dni criteria” any more efficient??
Like, you want to go for a performative Twittercore aesthetic? At that point just use a blocklist or smth, those are more efficient than your eyestrain sparkly banner.
Same with people who write their DNIs in light pastel tones against a white background. Trying to read that shit hurts.
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Islamism and Leftism: A love story.
Leftists: Kill the makers of Hogwarts, because they hate Jews!
Islamists: Death to the Jews!
Leftists: Oh please, we couldn't possibly be more horny for you brown boys - won't you please rape our arses until we bleed?
Islamists: Errr - sure, whatever, so long as you help win our war.
Leftists: We have! We posted on Tumblr many times!
Islamists: How many Jews did you kill?
Leftists: We just imagine that they are dead. We won! Yay, next thing!
Islamists: So you aren't going to actually help us?
Leftists: We socially constructed a reality where you won. Stop being so entitled! Anyway, we hate toasters now. Death to the toaster, they are oppressing trans people!
Black People: I thought you said you were fighting for our rights?
Leftists: That was soooo yesterday! Got to move with the times, darlings! Ta-ta!
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The Everlasting Influence of #MeToo: From Online Hashtag to Real-World Change
Introduction:
Social media movements, the phenomena that are redefining contemporary activism, find their roots not in the digital world but in the lived experiences of individuals. They originate in the offline spaces, the daily lives of ordinary people who are driven by the need to stand up for what is just and right. These movements are deeply entwined with social and political activism and serve as platforms for the disenfranchised and marginalized to have a voice.
However, the trajectory of social media movements, as impactful as they may seem in the digital realm, often faces criticisms of "clicktivism" and "slacktivism." These terms reflect the concern that online participation might lack real-world impact. To truly understand the influence of social media movements, it's essential to recognize the synergy between online and offline spaces, where the most successful movements thrive and endure.
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The #MeToo Movement: A Case Study:
A prominent example of a social media movement that has transcended both online and offline spaces is the #MeToo movement. It is a testament to the fact that these movements do not begin with hashtags but with the earnest efforts of individuals who strive to bring about change. The #MeToo movement originated in 2006, created by social activist Tarana Burke. Burke's vision was to create a movement that empowers survivors of sexual violence, particularly young women of color in underprivileged communities. She coined the phrase "Me Too" to symbolize empowerment through empathy, laying the foundation for a movement against sexual abuse.
The movement remained largely under the radar for over a decade until 2017, when actress Alyssa Milano shared her personal experience of sexual abuse on Twitter using the hashtag #MeToo. Her call to action resonated with countless others, encouraging them to share their own stories. The hashtag quickly spread across Twitter, being used 1.7 million times in 85 countries. It received support from numerous female celebrities who echoed the message of "Me Too."
The Symbiosis of Online and Offline Spaces:
While the #MeToo movement gained immense traction online and earned recognition as a global digital campaign, its impact was not confined to the digital sphere. It transcended into the physical world, sparking campaigns against sexual violence across various industries, including film, music, politics, education, sports, military, and medicine. The movement prompted legislative and legal actions, such as the Me Too Congress Act, and led to convictions of rapists and sexual abusers, especially those who held positions of significant power in society. One of the most notable outcomes was the conviction and downfall of Harvey Weinstein, a former film producer who had enjoyed a position of authority. The #MeToo movement mobilized diverse groups, including celebrities, activists, survivors of sexual abuse, and everyday citizens. It spanned multiple spaces and platforms, from social media to workplaces, red carpet events, and courtrooms. The movement leveraged social media for awareness, and this digital presence spurred real-world efforts against sexual violence.
Conclusion:
Social media movements are not born with hashtags but with the dedication of individuals determined to champion social justice. The #MeToo movement exemplifies how social media can amplify voices that have been silenced and ignored, providing survivors of sexual violence with the power to share their stories. While hashtags are crucial for mobilizing these movements online, it's essential to acknowledge the pioneering work of activists like Tarana Burke, who laid the groundwork long before hashtags began trending. Social media movements thrive when they bridge the gap between digital and physical spaces, forging lasting change in an increasingly connected world.
The #MeToo movement illustrates that social media movements are more than mere hashtags; they are driven by individuals committed to societal change. This movement, initiated by Tarana Burke in 2006, showcases how real-world impact transcends the digital realm. By sparking campaigns against sexual violence, inspiring legislative changes, and leading to high-profile convictions, it demonstrates the tangible influence of social media movements. Their continued relevance underlines the significance of bridging the gap between online and offline spaces. Social media movements amplify silenced voices and exemplify that true change begins with dedicated individuals.
References:
Hashtag Activism. (2012). Margaret Rouse. Retrieved October 28, 2023, from https://www.techopedia.com/definition/29047/hashtag-activism
Goswami, M. P. (2018). Social media and hashtag activism. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326655352_Social_Media_and_Hashtag_Activism,viewed on 28 Oct 2023
alignmedia. (2023, March 16). More than a Hashtag: The #MeToo Movement is 10 years in the Making - ALiGN: Alternative Global Network Media Lab. ALiGN: Alternative Global Network Media Lab. https://carleton.ca/align/2023/more-than-a-hashtag-the-metoo-movement-is-10-years-in-the-making/,viewed on 28 Oct 2023
Burke, T. (2022, October 12). Tarana Burke: What “Me Too” made possible. Time. https://time.com/6221110/tarana-burke-me-too-anniversary/,viewed on 28 Oct 2023.
Jeff Grabmeier. (2023, August 8). Why #MeToo remains a rallying cry for sexual abuse survivors. OHIO STATE NEWS. Retrieved October 28, 2023, from https://news.osu.edu/why-metoo-remains-a-rallying-cry-for-sexual-abuse-survivors/
Rosa, J. (2019, October 16). Alyssa Milano on sharing alleged sexual assault story 25 years later. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/alyssa-milano-sharing-alleged-sexual-assault-story-25/story?id=66317784,viewed on 28 Oct 2023
TEDx Talks. (2021, May 1). Can a “Like” change the world? The power of clicktivism | Jenk Oz | TEDxYouth@Engomi [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evvv45BAYvc,viewed on 28 Oct 2023
TEDx Talks. (2018, November 12). Slacktivism: Social Media’s Effect on Activism | Sophie Egar | TEDxYouth@PepperPike [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhPIgES_hws,viewed on 28 Oct 2023
Giphy. (n.d.). GIPHY - Be animated. GIPHY. https://giphy.com/,viewed on 28 Oct 2023
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The Reddit blackout is frustrating, because the average person closing a subreddit was probably doing it for sincere reasons, and the majority of users support it in principle.
In practice it feels like a case study in slacktivism. Some of this is Reddit themselves successfully forcing people’s hands, but it already feels like the messaging has been lost to “greedy mods holding onto power”, in part because of actual instances of it.
The two day window was a perfect amount of time to make people feel like something was being accomplished, when it really just was hot air. Pivoting to indefinite just pissed off a vocal contingent, which Reddit is now capitalizing on.
Do I have an answer to what should’ve happened differently? No, I’m not a labor organizer. But that’s kind of the point, this was a bunch of people Angry on the Internet trying to Do a Thing, when what they needed was a properly organized strike.
Id love to be wrong, and that Reddit relents to some degree. I don’t have my hopes up.
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internet activism is a hyperbolic term. go outside. if you really fucking care about something "spreading awareness" ain't it. we are all very fucking aware and you continue to not actually do anything about it. unshelter thine self
#slacktivism#internet activism#this especially applies to you if you genuinely have a platform to voice your opinions on things#literally do anything but regurgitate and repost for the sake of “awareness”
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It’s always been slacktivism.
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nooo wayy no fucking way. im at a free palestine protest and one of the SPEAKERS really says
“my place in the fight is spreading positivity”
its over for us guys
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I hopw you know your mental illnes dont matter right now. Glad you could care about your health but lmfao you so FUCKING DISUSTING. million of CHILDREN HAVE DIED and you go in thw balls to go and say "you are not obligateddd unu!!! Mental health more important than thisss 🥺🥺🥺" no wonder you are a proshipper you so SELFISH lmfao
Oh, look. An abliest piece of shit using politics as an excuse to be an abliedt piece of shit. No wonder they're anon is an antishipper. They're all joyless, politics obsessed, terminally online assholes who have to try to emotionally abuse others in order to manipulate them and to feel good about themselves.
I don't know how to tell you, but prioritizing oneself is something that basically every healthy person does, and nobody cares about your fake activism.
I don't want to see or talk about it beyond brief reading because otherwise, it'd be harmful to my mental state. I have severe depression and anxiety, and emotional trauma. That is a limit and boundary I have and people have to just respect it instead of being selfish slacktivists.
The internet has ruined activism, I swear to the Gods.
#abliesm#mental health#antiship#antishipper#proship#pro fiction#profic#profiction#antiship mention#anti shipping#mental illness#actually mentally ill#fake activism#slacktivism#slacktivists
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Here’s some links to do some real good.
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Not based on conversations I've had, just some I've observed.
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