Especially in recent times you really see the power of social
media being taking advantage of for the use of good, well mostly. People are
smart enough to know that in this generation how you reach people to hear your
voice isn’t through commercials, ads in the paper and definitely now by passing
out pamphlets. A recent example of activism through the media was KONY 2012, a
recent attempt at mass activism that I am sure we are all aware with now. For
me, when I had watched the video my heart sank and I immediately wanted to
“jump on the bandwagon and help” JUST by watching that video, and by the
results of it many people were in the same boat I was. Unfortunately things
like this are hard to justify the good power of it. Are ALL donations given to
the cause? Are they telling us the REAL and COMPLETE story? Those questions can
only be found by researching the cause, which in reality most people will not
take the time and do. This is why many things like KONY2012 really cause hoopla
just for a moment…then eventually begin to fade. Just look at all the
controversies about the KONY 2012 campaign that are leaking out into the
public, people are questioning the cause, the creator had to be hospitalized
for being detained, and the people in Uganda didn’t agree with the video, the
very people whom they were trying to reach.
Although there is
much controversies in many activism through the media, it is important. With anything,
when an attempt to do good by the mass public becomes astray, there will be
people trying to nit-pick every last detail, but I truly believe that by activating
through mass media is the only way to get your voice heard. Make it interesting
and make it LOUD. People will listen.
Hi Mallory
ReplyDeleteYou're right that we have to be cautious when jumping on that band wagon. Fortunately, with social media and other media frenzy, we can learn so much more about causes, people behind them, and related issues, and the information is more readily available. This has the potential to make groups more transparent, because we ARE watching. And we're more skeptical and more cautious than ever ... or at least we should be :). How can we tell if a cause is authentic and worth our energy and focus? Any tips?
Great post
- Jon