By Yoonjeong Yang ‘24
Social media has become a vital tool in modern activism and its usage has risen significantly, especially amidst the global pandemic. Powerful and accessible, social media platforms provide activists with a voice they wouldn’t have otherwise and reflects the realities of the world. Amid this unprecedented explosion in popular engagement, empowered performative activism undertaken to undermine movements has blurred the distinction between performative allyship and genuine support, with many people seeking to capitalize on the moment for social clout rather than actually supporting the movement and its demands. Therefore, while social media is an effective way for people to enter the conversation, activism should not simply end with a simple social media post.
Social media activism includes promoting awareness through the use of hashtags, posts, and campaigns. Without tangible action, though, gestures like using a hashtag or positing a black square are seen as performative, and these minimal yet insubstantial efforts are often called “slacktivism.” It is important to note that performative activism, while increasingly popular on social media platforms, is a hindrance to social justice movements and should not become a replacement for tangible action. Genuine social media activism should be supported by concrete action, donations, and measurable commitments to change. While it might be argued that such performative activism raises awareness of the issues in question, it is clear that it can also be self-serving. Garnering public support for a cause, online or offline, is never a bad thing, but slacktivism, when undertaken to merely grab the public’s attention is regrettable. Now is the time to attempt to draw the line between action in service of the public good and the appropriation of another’s struggle for the sake of popularity.
The St. Mark’s website states that the school’s mission is to, “promote awareness around cultural differences and provide affinity opportunities for students whose social or identity needs are not reflected in the dominant culture at St. Mark’s.” While the school stresses the importance of diversity and equality, its programs are often led by particular student leaders and do not provide opportunities for all students to actively participate and promote activism. The school should take this opportunity to effectively utilize social media and amplify the voices of a more diverse group of students. This would ensure that students from different genders, ages, and ethnicities could be heard. However, this would be ineffective if social media were the sole channel through which students speak out. Social media activism must be coupled with tangible, substantial action in order for it to be effective. The school must provide students with that opportunity. As awareness is raised, the action taken by the student body is what will lead to lasting change.