We all get annoyed at that crazy aunt or uncle who loves spreading misinformation on Facebook. However, for all the grief social media causes us, we have to admit that it is a robust tool for social and political change. Social media provides a level of communication that we never had before. Today, social media provides us with platforms to raise our voices, show our support, raise awareness, and call out injustices in our society.
How is social media changing the way people document history?
The ability to record injustices on mobile phones and upload them directly to social media has given visibility to injustices like police brutality and sexual assault. The video documentation and social media streaming of events makes it difficult to rewrite history, and forces us to look at the harsh realities we are faced with. News coverage often follows social media documentation, and the proof required to document history is in the videos. George Floyd's death may not have sparked global outrage if it hadn't been caught on video. Social media helps amplify messages, and ensure that people are informed about events, injustices, and social movements. I believe this offers people a chance to support causes that they may otherwise not have.
The following video is from The Daily Show about the Black Lives Matter protests across the country.
How has social media become a powerful mobilization channel?
Social media allows people to rally in support of those experiencing discrimination and intimidation. This mobilization is a step in the right direction to ensuring that injustice doesn’t go unnoticed. Political action follows when people fight against the status quo. Mobilization is an important part of being able to put pressure on our elected officials to make policy changes that protect civil rights.
The murder of George Floyd in May 2020 led to the mass mobilization of sustained activism across the United States. Social media played a large role in mobilizing protests around the country that demanded police reforms. It also gives us an opportunity to mobilize in our communities when we need to call attention to injustices.
The following video shows how a community mobilized in protest after a racist incident in their community.
How have people used social media to win the hearts and minds of people?
#RECKONING is a project from TIME that focuses on the cultural response to viral videos depicting various types of racism. Viral videos on social media win hearts and minds because they show the reality of injustices present in our daily lives. The wonderful thing about social media is that it has a global reach. When people around the world support causes and stand in solidarity, this is likely to open the eyes of people who may not know about or understand the impact of racism, oppression, sexism, etc.
Social media was used to propel the #MeToo movement which brought awareness to the pervasive problem of sexual assault and harassment. After the hashtag #MeToo went viral in 2017, nearly half of all American Facebook users were friends with someone who said they had been sexually assaulted or harassed. This certainly changed the hearts and minds of people about sexual harassment and assault.
The following video is an ABC News report on the guilty verdict of Harvey Weinstein after the #MeToo movement brought awareness to the issue of sexual assault.
Do you think social media can be an effective tool for social change? Let me know in the comments.
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