The Ethics of Activism: When Is Public Service a Performance?

Have you ever been scrolling through stories on Instagram and felt weighed down by the endless reposts featuring social injustices, war crimes occurring overseas, or harmful legislation passing in the courts? Well, if you have, you’re not alone. Apart from the constant flow of current events and news stories coming across my desk as an international studies major, it feels like there’s nowhere to escape when attempting a late-day “doomscroll” after class. 

Activism, especially from the comfort of your own home, can be just as valuable and important as groundwork taking place elsewhere, but when does “Instagram activism” become performative rather than genuine? The line here is hard to unblur. I’m sure most people can relate to wanting to share information related to causes they’re passionate about. It’s completely understandable to view posting as an easy, meaningful way to contribute. Sometimes spreading awareness from our accounts feels like all we can do. What’s important is that your intentions are coming from the right place.

Using social media as an outlet to spread awareness allows you to reach audiences that you might not be able to otherwise. The global internet is so vast, and there is absolutely something to be said for online activism. Reposts can lead to petitions being signed, donations raised, and real-world action. Social media can also be used to amplify the voices of marginalized communities. 

However, with all the benefits, online activism also has the potential to become performative if there is a lack of follow-through offline. An absence of donations, behavioral changes, or education can be a sign that the posting is performative. Oftentimes, by sharing information about “trending” issues, the poster feels better about themselves even when no true action has been done. It can be common to feel the need to be perceived as “politically correct” online. The thing about social media is it’s all a highlight reel; sharing information about causes near and dear to your heart is extremely valuable and a good way to educate others, but a guaranteed difference comes from being active in your community outside of your online persona.

Education is crucial to solving some of our world’s most complex and daunting issues. The weight of constant exposure to global crises can feel overwhelming at times, and that’s okay. Sometimes the cycle of guilt can get to you. You feel emotionally exhausted from the content being seen on social media constantly, but are concerned about the potential consequences of staying silent. 

When posting, ask yourself: Why am I posting this? Is it because you feel that posting about the issue will help the cause in any way, or are you simply trying to follow a trend? On top of figuring out your intentions when posting, it’s important to ensure you are doing proper background research to avoid spreading misinformation. As many of us are taught in school, misinformation is everywhere, and spreading it can cause more harm than good. If you are going to post, it’s important to pair that with action offline. Donate to a local charity, volunteer, or even call your representatives, actions that take little to no time or money yet make a huge impact. 

Meaningful activism isn’t always visible online. With an endless amount of causes to care about, it’s essential that we are intentional with our online activity. Recognize that awareness can be the first step, but it’s important to follow through afterwards. Overall, activism should be rooted in care, not optics.

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