Slacktivism - Madison & Klang

The Case for Digital Activism by Madison and Klang challenges this notion of ‘slacktivism’ being a lazy form of activism, while advocating for a stand alone study of digital activism in order to promote a fuller understanding of the role served by this type of social engagement on behalf of world issues, and current events. Madison and Klang lean heavily into counter arguments of slacktivism which troubles or disrupts the commonly critical regard held for digital activism and activist despite how perverse this form of activism is amongst the general public. Thus, this trend of digital political participation signals just how integrated the digital world has become within our present reality, and its emergence as simply proof of a new way of the world. Their article calls into question why people delegitimize this widespread form of political participation.

I found this article purposeful in that it prompts the audience to reframe their thinking on acts of digital discourse pertaining to politics and pines for digital activism to be a respected form of civic engagement because in reality it is impactful! One may even say it is a necessity; arguing that an organization concerned with social justice could not thrive without a digital presence. Digital activism keeps important issues swirling in the public zeitgeist of current events, and improves the likelihood of people turning their attention towards a worthy cause. In my own movement I would say slacktivism has actually been an essential facet of keeping the movement alive. Providing a space for people to tap into the movement from anywhere and by anyone has been a part of keeping the pulse of black feminism alive. People receive affirmation from others who post about topics that they are mutually concerned with or attentive to both in a collective and personal sense. Activism conducted online by black feminist has coagulated under hashtags and has promoted connections between black feminist far and wide. And this very occurrence subverts the idea of slacktivism, and digital activism having none or very little merit. This is disproven when real benefits materialize for groups and people abroad and across a movement.

I have also learned from a formal journal that studied the activity of online activism conducted by black feminist, and it conveyed a concern of black feminist who do engage in online activism and that is the co-option and or appropriation of their perspectives and voices online. Posing as a possible consequence of speaking openly on public platforms and widely-accessible spaces. The historical perpetuation of black women’s erasure in political conversations specifically online gives rise to a stake that can come from digital activism where it was previously determined that digital activism has low stakes and low sacrifice by critics of digital activism. But for some activists speaking out online could compromise the integrity of one’s rhetoric. This occurrence may more or less afflict different groups to different degrees for those who participate in digital activism. It is insane than in any form of activism or advocacy there is a segmenting of communities that you have to look out for.