You’ve seen them on every social media platform. The colored profile picture, the Ukrainian flag in the instagram bio (or more often than not, the similar-looking flag of the state of Perlis in Malaysia that is often mistaken for the Ukrainian flag), and the classic emoji: ✊. It’s the new easy thing! It takes one quick search online; they even have websites to copy and paste activist emoji sets or slogans right into your bio. But is this really making a difference in the lives of those affected?
Social media has completely transformed how we receive news, and this can be a good thing. Liking and sharing posts about important issues is easily done and spreads awareness fast. The trick is to know when spreading awareness has regressed into a zombie state of liking, reposting, and commenting, rather than taking action. We should ask ourselves, “What action am I taking in addition to the awareness I’ve brought to the issue?”
Before we really dig into this type of online personality, let’s talk about the leaders of modern activism and their right to have an activist-themed social media presence. I’ll use my favorite, Malala Yousafzai. Maybe you’ve read her autobiography, I Am Malala, or maybe you’ve heard her story and assumed she is some historical figure from a hundred years ago. If you did, you’re not alone, but I bring you good news: Malala is in fact alive and well, currently married, and continuing her activism through her school for girls in Pakistan and other nonprofits. Believe it or not, Malala currently has no flags or trendy activist slogans in her bio, a simple “Girls just wanna learn, play, and live free💖”.Â
Malala’s bio remains flag-less, and her profile picture has a shockingly mundane color grade. She has been fighting for girls’ rights to an education since she was 11 years old. Now take a look at the countless profile pictures and bios aligning with various movements. Changing your bio or reposting something can be an easy way to feel like you’re making a difference. But aligning yourself with a movement against oppressive governments or prejudice and discrimination using an emoji has become redundant. It could also be viewed as offensive to those in the unsafe environments that we are talking about and to activists who are giving up their health and safety to help those in need.
If you find yourself coming across an issue, reposting, adding the designated flag or colored heart combo, and moving on with your day just like that, I would encourage you to look for other opportunities you can participate in to actually make a meaningful difference. Volunteer at a food drive, donate to an organization repairing flood-damaged homes, or sponsor a child in need across the world. Not everyone has the time or resources to attend a protest or volunteer every weekend, but anyone can find some time to turn awareness into action.
When you share a post about something wrong with the world or a need a community has, let that be a starting point rather than your only supportive action. Now that you are aware of the issue, you can find some way to help out; that is what activists on social media are looking for.
The next time you see a social media post about a recent injustice or tragedy, read up on it. Get to know what is happening, from all perspectives, and then look for ways you can meaningfully make a difference. Let your repost be the beginning of your activist journey, rather than the end of it.