socialmediaactivismm

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Introduction

The world was forever changed when social media was introduced into our society. For the first time, it was possible to connect with people from all walks of life all over the world. While social media has developed to present many challenges to our social fabric, it has also created immeasurable good in terms of raising awareness. Without this tool of connection, movements like Black Lives Matter (BLM), March for Our Lives, climate activism, and LGBTQ+ rights would not have gained the traction that they have. This report will show that social media is a force unlike any other that possesses the power to bring people together, no matter where they’re from or what their background is, to promote social movements that create effective change in the real world.

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Black Lives Matter

In May of 2020, the world was rocked by the murder of George Perry Floyd Jr. in Minnesota. Videos of the horrifying act swarmed social media in an unprecedented way and created an uproar that echoed across the world. Though this was not nearly the first act of police violence against a black individual, it seemed to serve as a catalyst for new life to be breathed into the Black Lives Matter movement. The New York Times described the events that followed this widespread outrage as “the largest protests in the United States since the Civil Rights era” (Buchanan 2020). Protests were not just held in the United States, but internationally as well. This kind of response could not have existed without social media. Instagram activist pages were born to educate people on law enforcement violence and call for police reform. The world came together to demand action be taken against the officers responsible for Floyd’s murder. A petition started by a 15-year-old in Oregon spread across social media, “Justice for George Floyd”, garnered over 20 million supporters—dignifying it as the most supported petition of all time (Change.org 2021). Victory was declared when Derek Chauvin, the officer directly responsible for Floyd’s murder, was found guilty. This social movement has led to greater accountability for law enforcement involved in violent acts and policy changes in various states to combat the use of excessive force. None of this would have been possible without the collective efforts of those involved in spreading information and supporting the BLM movement on social media.

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"No Pride for some of us without liberation for all of us." -Marsha P. Johnson

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Sewing store window in Portland

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March for Our Lives

Another case of online activism that affected real change is the March for Our Lives movement. Born out of tragedy in Parkland, Florida, a group of students founded March for Our Lives to promote “civic engagement, education, and direct action by youth to eliminate the epidemic of gun violence” (March for Our Lives 2023). Promotion online led to the founding of numerous chapters across the nation that are pressuring local and federal lawmakers to better protect our youth by enacting effective gun reform and assisting in getting young people registered to vote. In 2022, the Senate passed the first major federal gun safety legislation in decades (CNN 2022). The bipartisan bill included “millions of dollars for mental health, school safety, crisis intervention programs, and incentives for states to include juvenile records in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System” (CNN 2022). Without the pressure of the millions involved in March for Our Lives, both at on-ground rallies and online, this would never have come to fruition. Before March for Our Lives, there was never such an organized and vocal effort for gun reform. Far too many tragedies have occurred since Parkland in 2018 and the work is far from over. March for Our Lives is still an active force across social media with the spreading of petitions, educational material on local and federal elections, and the organization of protests across the nation.

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3 Democratic state lawmakers in Tennessee joined thousands of young people protesting at the state capitol building, demanding gun safety.

Republican House leadership has decided to hold a vote to EXPEL these Representatives for standing with kids fighting for their lives.

(Art by Mikhaila Markham)

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How many more mass tragedies will it take until we see policy change? We deserve gun control - now.

(Alt-text included on all images)

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"You can’t stop a bullet with thoughts and prayers. To honor those lost and save countless lives, we need action. We’re dying while we wait for it."

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Climate Activism

Climate activism has spread quickly across social media, encouraging education and climate-conscious practices in our daily lives. Young people are raising the call for action against climate change in a never-before-seen way by spreading “more climate change content online; and they are doing more to get involved with the issue through activities such as volunteering and attending rallies and protests” (Tyson 2021). More young voters are getting involved in affecting real change than ever before, as we witness the devastating effects of climate change first-hand. Young activists like Greta Thunberg are attracting media attention and spreading awareness across all platforms. Without social media, education on climate change would not be as widespread and the pressure on lawmakers to enact firm policies to combat it would not be as powerful. Climate-engaged social media users “report feeling angry that not enough is being done when encountering climate change content online; but large shares also say they feel motivated to learn more and confident in the ability to reduce the effects of climate change” (Tyson 2021). Harnessing the power of social media, younger generations are prepared to fight misinformation and continue to engage in activities that combat climate change.

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Canadian wildfire smoke creates hazy skies and unhealthy polluted air quality in New York City (2023)

The sun is shrouded as it rises in a hazy, smoky sky behind the Empire State Building, One Vanderbilt and the Chrysler Building in NYC.

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(via)

l quote: Utah Phillips

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We need climate action.

Digital illustration of a blonde woman wearing a mask facing the New York City skyline. She is standing on a fire-escape wearing a tan dress that reads, ‘climate change is a public health crisis.’

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LGBTQ+ Rights

The fight for LGBTQ+ rights has taken center stage as lawmakers across the nation are introducing legislation that strips away the fundamental freedoms of the LGBTQ+ community. Florida’s “don’t say gay” bill is one of many pieces of legislation aiming to prohibit “classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity” (NBC News 2022). It is more important than ever to continue to educate, particularly young people, on the LGBTQ+ community. This is where social media comes in. There are a number of Instagram activist pages that share current events in the LGBTQ+ space, petitions, and educational posts about the history of the community. These pages make information easily accessible in a digestible format that promotes acceptance and action to protect our LGBTQ+ peers. In the face of those aiming to silence the community, events like Pride parades and protests continue to occur—aided by news spreading across social media.  Social media also provides a space for LGBTQ+ people to be themselves, especially when they do not feel safe to do so otherwise. Online communities that foster acceptance serve to uplift the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals, providing them a platform to speak their truths and feel seen.

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Let's go, Japan!

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Anti-Trans Legislation Kills

[Digital illustration of a Black trans women wearing a dress made of words describing anti-trans legislation. Bills included are, “gender-affirming care bans, insurance coverage bans, drag bans, misgendering, uneducated medical professionals, youth sports bans, book bans, dead naming, stigma, and workplace discrimination.’ Text reads, ‘anti-trans legislation kills.’]

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The commercial visibility of Pride over the past few years has often excluded the voices of those most marginalized.

Digital illustration of a large group of queer people. There are people of all different ages, sizes, and genders gathered around a sign that reads, ‘no pride for some without pride for all.’