Infographics, Empty Voices and Redundant Actions: Thoughts on Performative Activism on Social Media
Infographics, Empty Voices and Redundant Actions: Thoughts on Performative Activism on Social Media Disclaimer: I want to be careful here to not insert myself as an overbearingly loud voice in an extremely important issue. This article has its basis in my own experiences, and that is all I have grounds to discuss. It may be an understatement to say that summer 2020 brought vital social issues to the forefront of conversation. The murder of George Floyd, at the hands of U.S police, prompted much support for the already established Black Lives Matter movement. People took to the streets and to social media to protest. At the height of lockdown, activism was limited for some individuals due to concerns about Coronavirus. With individuals spending even more time on social media, one of the only forms of social interaction or access to the outside world, virtual activism gained more traction than I have ever seen. Information, shows of solidarity, expressions of compassion, all flooded soci...