I've done it. You've probably done it, too. Changing your profile picture on Facebook or Twitter to show your support for a cause. You replace your profile pic with a logo or emblem or you color your picture with a color or symbolic overlay. Some call the trend of supporting causes and charities online "slactivism" because it's the slacker way of participating in activism. You show your support online with very little effort and no follow up. Others truly believe they are doing some good – whether or not they follow it up with any true activism.
Listening to the latest Jaffe and Joelpodcast (Joseph Jaffe and Mitch Joel) they started talking about this very thing. Is it worthless or does it accomplish anything. Their debate was lively and entertaining, as their debates often are. It got me thinking about it and I think it does serve a purpose.
My oldest recollection of this phenomenon goes back to the Iran elections and following Egypt uprising in 2011. Suddenly, a lot of the profile pictures in my Twitter feed had an overlay of green. It was called the Twitter revolution, in part because the use of Twitter helped revolutionaries coordinate their efforts. It became fashionable to turn your profile pictures green in support of these movements. This also sparked some to ask people to do more. The Huffington Post posted an article titled "Iran Elections: Quit Turning Your Twitter Avatars Green and Do Something." But I contend that it did do something. For one thing, it made me aware of the situation. And it spurred articles like the Huff Post piece, which I'm sure did get some people to take action – action they never would have taken if we hadn't all followed the green trend.
I think it also helps create change in society by changing views. Last year, leading up to the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage, many people added a rainbow overlay to their profile pictures and shared #LoveWins posts. I think that helps bring about a change in the American or even world psyche. When people, especially young people, see so many actually do support a cause – that can give someone courage to voice their support who might not have. And it can even lead some who weren't sure what to think to lean towards a more enlightened path for all humanity.
Even in it's most slactivism form, I think changing our profile picture serves a purpose. When you change your pic to something purple or Prince related, it helps you grieve. When you change it to a French flag overlay to support those affected by the Paris bombings, it makes you feel more attached to greater humanity, a part of the bigger world we live in. Feeling good about yourself, feeling connected to the world around you and being able to share what you are feeling at the moment is worth something.
Should we do more than simply show our support with one click of a button. Of course we should. That should be the start of something, not the end. But at least it's a start. What do you think. Agree it serves a purpose or feel it's a worthless empty gesture? Let me know.
