http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2014/1215/Why-I-llRideWithYou-worked-and-other-Muslim-hashtags-didn-t-video
In the article "Why #I'llRideWithYou worked, and other Muslim hashtags didn't", Husna Haq analyzes the variance of effectiveness of slacktivism in a global context. The 2014 attack of a Sydney cafe by a Muslim man caused a wave of fear of retaliation against the Muslim community. The hashtag #IllRideWithYou generated 40,000 tweets in two hours and 170,000 tweets worldwide after an Aussie woman offered to walk with a Muslim woman for protection. Such instances of slacktivism can be seen to be effective as it not only causes awareness but also promotes a specific action.
However, how do we measure whether slacktivism is effect or not? Sociologist Zeynep Tufekci, assistant professor at the University of North Carolina states that "Attention is not powerless". Whether or not a specific outcome is attained, the awareness and knowledge spreads rapidly worldwide and cannot be reversed. Such as the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls, which was used by 4 million people worldwide. While the girls have yet to be found, the global awareness has been created which creates a common union, which then puts pressure on the State to take action. I'd have to agree with the authors in this instance, while multiple instances of slacktivism seem to ineffective, the proliferation of knowledge causes enough of a global impact to continue its use.
This follows the concept that slacktivism is more effective when the desired action is inaction, or action that has opportunity little cost. #I'llRideWithYou intended to prevent violence through empathy and education. The onus was on those who read the hsh tag to empathize with Muslims and not harass them. Even at its most active, the hashtag meant to look out for harassment in your everyday life.The goal of campaigns like #BringBackOurGirls was to create action through political pressure or money. That required more work than is to be expected from an internet community. Hashtags can only work as passive educators, not social motivators.
ReplyDeleteWe should be careful not to equate 'slacktivism' with twitter activism or social media activism more generally. They two are pretty close but slacktivism is the idea of simply helping someone out on your spare time, spend a few seconds and retweet, donate a few bucks, and then stop there. There can be real twitter activism and I think you have hit on it. Even if, as Noah mentions, it is passive it is still continuous, asking more than a few seconds.
ReplyDeleteProf. Shirk, thank you for clarifying that for me. Would it still be considered slacktivism if people were merely retweeting or tweeting the hashtag to spread awareness as opposed to actually legitimately offering their physical help?
DeleteIn agreement with what has been said by Professor Shirk and Noah, it is important to identify the difference between legitimate activism through social media and activism. I think that the #I'llRideWithYou movement which we saw was a prime example of how social media can be used to incite positive change and social awareness of issues. While it may not be the case for every hashtag movement, this really showcased the potential of social media.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone and it is interesting to see how far social media has come with social movements and how important social media is in society. It gets to the point now where social media can really make any potential movement huge whether or not it is as large a global issue as #I'llRideWithYou.
ReplyDeleteI very much agree with this article. I mentioned in class that I think the point of social media campaigns is to get the awareness of an issue to the public. It is up the the individuals to do something about their new found awareness.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I'm a strong believer in the power of knowledge and spreading that awareness. Whether people choose to act on it is one thing, but at least now they are aware and that may be enough to make a difference.
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