#clicktavism

Everyone has the right to have an opinion and share that opinion, especially if it is one they are most passionate about. Thanks to the Internet and digital world we are living in today it has created the ability of doing so, known as digital activism.

 So what is it? Digital activism has been found to be defined as ‘the use of electronic communication technologies such as social media, especially Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, e-mail, and podcasts for various forms of activism to enable faster communication by citizen movements and the delivery of local information to a large audience. Internet technologies are used for cause-related fundraising, community building, lobbying, and organizing’.

 An example of this is when Facebook brings in filters to put on your profile pictures to show your support for a certain cause such as gay rights, pray for Paris and Breast cancer awareness. All campaigns are worthy causes and easily become a trend simply by people making the slight alteration to their profile and people clicking ‘like’ to show their support.  Simply showing your support by clicking the ‘like’ button makes you a part of clicktavism.

 Clicktavism? Is the use of social media and other online methods to promote a cause. Just like the term of social activism however apart of the movement is to give it and participators a trendy title for it.

 With subtle acts of citizen activism and protects towards acts and cause through digital media the objective and ideas behind them can be lost. With the filters and mass posting of support for things such as the Brussels attacks the posts from some people can be simple just peer pressure and to follow the masses as it’s the new ‘trend’ to do and they don’t want to be the only one not posting about it. Sure It’s a great way to get the message out there and people to show their support but how many people are actually supporting the cause verse those just doing it to fit in and have no connection or passion for the cause and the objective of the activists.

I have so much hope for the future of Palestine. I think people are becoming more aware of whats going on, and they’re taking a stand, even if its just a reblog, “clicktavism”(slacktavism?) or whatever they’re calling it. You’re still stating an opinion and you’re still choosing to stand up for something, which is better than being silent to what’s going on around you. That’s why I effing love the internet, I’m able to gain knowledge on ANYTHING that is happening around the world, b being connected I can track Real Madrid as well as read ALL the conspiracies on Sandra Bland. Even if something is only being reblogged, you’re raising awareness to that specific point. and that’s effing awesome. I only have 4 followers, (I’m new :)) but I’ve gotten over 200 notes on an opinion I stated, that others agreed with. The humanity shows.