Has being an activist become easier? It depends on what you mean by activism. If by activism you mean protesting, petitioning legislation, and physically taking part in change then no. It’s still an uphill battle to make a change on even a municipal level. But change and progress, it seems, has been happening not on television or in person but online.
Online activism has become easier than ever. It takes five seconds to join a Facebook group or change your profile picture or tweet along with a trending hashtag, but then what? What happens after joining in solidarity with the cause of your choice? The term most associated with online activism is “slacktivism."
Slacktivism is defined as any “action performed via the Internet in support of a political or social cause but regarded as requiring little time or involvement” and it’s a huge problem. Actions that fall underneath the umbrella of slacktivism can be, “signing an online petition or joining a campaign group on a social media website." While these actions aren’t necessarily wrong and can help raise awareness for a cause, they only exist online.
“The revolution will not be televised”- Gil Scott Heron
The past election and current administration have revealed that taking a backseat to politics at any level is no longer an option. In order to initiate change, citizens must play an active and consistent role in government, not just once every four years.
Oftentimes I find myself falling into a slacktivist role online. It’s quick, easy, and makes me feel better about myself instantly. But, from personal experience, I’ve found that sending out a fire tweet does not equal a vote. It's time to put it into practice.
While activism cannot exist solely online there are great resources online that can bridge the gap between slacktivism and real activism.
Resources
Relief
Help for Flint, Michigan