Communicating Online: The Role of Social Media in Social Justice Movements

 Welcome, classmates!

As a Queer Studies major and a Deliberative Citizenship Initiative Fellow, the role of social media in social justice movements is a subject near and dear to my heart. I've been privileged in my lifetime thus far to have seen the rise of social media, and its power to bring awareness to oppressions that had before remained largely invisible. The first time I can remember social media playing a large role in an injustice was the murder of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman. Not only were videos and articles widely shared, it's also the first time I can remember screenshots of text messages or Facebook posts publically used against George, and was also the vehicle for shared outrage when he was acquitted of all charges. 

Since then, social media has been used to spread information on national and international injustices, creating a global awareness unlike anything in our history. In fact, according to a recent study, people not only use social media to share important justice movement information, they also use the platforms to connect with others and form civil communities:

This shift has been very apparent in 2020 in the progression of social justice movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo, as well as documenting and sharing political information. After the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, social media played a crucial role in uncovering the truths behind these murders and attempting to hold accountable those who were responsible. Though there are definitive negative aspects of social media that have been discussed in previous entries, such as effects on self-esteem and concerns about social media as a vehicle to spread misinformation, I believe the positive influences of social media on marginalized communities and their connect and share awareness outweigh the issues. 

-H