I dont use hashtags to disrespect or dishonor a persons life or any tragic event. Ive seen so many posts dissing movements that are started in global hashtags. And in the same breathe folks complain that people arent aware or willing to get involved in making steps towards change. Its such a confusing time we are all in....wanting to engage with community to talk about certain issues while also trying to preserve some of our ways of rallying as a community pre-social media. Listen. Im not here to dictate whats right or wrong. I will say this: hashtags are important when we talk about the new era of social media activism. Activism, via social media is just as valid as being on the ground, getting dirty. We need people on all fronts. When you say stuff like oh people only talk about our issues on social media you shame those who might not be able to do more than that. I have had friends who were ill or disabled in someway and their way of being engaged in the movement was by communicating via social media. They shared articles, kept people informed with updates and did what they could with what they had. And they were important and valued for their contribution. Often times they struggled with not feeling like they were doing enough because the only type of activism thats valued is being in front of the camera, on site. Being aware is a huge piece of the puzzle. Social media has made important and critical news accessible to so many people. Especially our youth. When I was in school there was a delay in the filtering of important information. We found out usually from our teachers what was happening. Like... okay in grammar school for instance we heard about the 9/11 attack over the intercom. I was so confused, asking a thousand questions and got very few answers. Now, something happens and all the information is at a students fingertips. They have control, access and are empowered with tools to dig deeper. Almost always with the help of a viral hashtag. I know that when my family was a victim of police brutality I certainly wish that we had people rally behind us in this way. Our church family rallied behind us much as they could. But at 15 years old, having some 20 plain clothes and undercover police officers block off traffic at 87th and stony, yelling and pointing loaded guns at you and your mother theres a level of support that you need but may not be able to articulate during a trauma. Its healing in many ways to be apart of and see communities jump to support behind hashtags. At the very least its lets people know they are not alone. I know I certainly would have felt that way. So yes, there are people who are out on the grounds and they are valuable but so are the folks working behind the scenes. Please yall its about coming together, letting people find a spot in the movement where they feel they can deeply serve and give their best. Lets just make space for everyone to take on a role. With love, Rashi
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 15:55:38 +0000
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