Social media has become the home of the new revolution. Black squares and donation promises have wormed their way into everyone’s feeds. Anyone who has been on sites such as TikTok or Instagram in the past 4 years, you’ve likely seen your mutuals making posts vowing their support to various causes. However, for anyone paying attention, questions have started to form. Do these posts actually help? Experts believe not.
Techniques employed by activists have changed greatly in recent years. Decades ago, it was easy to find people seeking change involved in protests, boycotts, strikes, and more. However in today’s age of modern technology, social media has had an impact on the way that people interact with information and deal with issues in society. News coverage of current events, both bad and good, has become more mainstream. However, more and more people in the media are engaging in what has become known as performative activism. It’s a recent trend occurs when someone uses movement to develop their character and social status rather than a genuine care for its cause.
In the summer of 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement had reached new heights in its support and influence following the unjust murder of George Floyd. The movement educated many on the dangers of police brutality and illustrated the bleak realities the African American community had endured. A study from the Pew Research Center had found that an estimated 46% of American internet users had been active in showing support for the movement online. One of the most popular methods of support online was through a movement known as Blackout Tuesday. On June 2nd, 2020, social media users posted black squares in protest of police brutality and solidarity with the Black community. However, this challenge did not come with any substantial change. According to the Pew Research Center, while nearly half of the internet users in the US had participated in the movement online, only 7% said that they had actually left their couches to participate in protests.
While the movement online was heavily supported, it was ultimately used less ads a way to bring change and more as a way for people to participate in a growing trend for clout. In 2023, The Pew Research Center found that only 51% of adults claimed to actively support the Black Lives Matter movement. This was a 16 percent decrease from 2020, which was the height of trends revolving around the movement. While this is not true for many, there was a large number of people who were only interested in the movement as long as it could provide them a higher social status. After 2020, people stopped working towards bringing an end to police brutality as it was no longer seen as being trendy. All in all, making trends out of movements is unhelpful at best and harmful at worst, as it allows people to ditch the value and importance of the movement at hand. When people lose interest in a trend, they lose interest in the movement as a whole.
However, there’s many ways to help make real change in the world. If possible, a great way for someone to make their voice to be heard is through hands-on protesting. Keep an eye out and ear open for groups planning on protesting nearby. In April of 2024, more than 30 students at Indiana University Bloomington were detained and arrested by police after participating in a protest against the genocide in Gaza.
Another way to inspire change is through boycotting, which can be incredibly effective if done correctly. Boycotts can only work if others join in. Individuals participating in boycotts should make attempts to get friends, family, associates, and other members of your community involved as well.
Participating in real world activism and forms of protest can be hard for some. In some cases, it can even be impossible. Thankfully, there are alternatives to participating in protests. Activism can healthily form in online spaces when executed correctly. Donations of any kind can go a long way towards helping communities and supporting bad situations. When donating, it’s a good idea to research the legitimacy of companies you choose to support. Websites such as ChartityWatch.org point out highly rated charities and organizations that will help make real, impactful change.
Activism is changing. While it has become much easier for people to influence change in the world with the rise of social media, it has also become so much easier for people to manipulate this change for their own gain. Performative activism has become rampant, but people who care can combat it. Pitch in, and speak out against issues that matter.
