#spreadthemessage

Hashtags.

#blessed, #Iwokeuplikethis... Hashtags have made it in our media-obsessed world has one of the most prevalent ways of clipped, precise communication. A few simple taps of a finger, and suddenly, you're connected to millions of other people around the world with the same cause as you.

As meaningless as some hashtags like the aforementioned ones seem, you, my dear reader, recognize them. You've seen them before. Somewhere, maybe on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook... no matter where you've seen or heard of them, their job has been done. The message has been delivered.

Such is the tactic of the slacktivist.

Delivering a message not by blood, sweat, and tears-- but by the simple click of a button.

However, by no means is this absolutely negative. Yes, you're sitting at home doing close to nothing, but again: The message has been delivered. In cooperation with activism, it may largely contribute to the cause.

But must one make a large effort to spread a message? Simply put, no. A retweet or a picture spreads a message as, maybe even more, effectively than a rally or a parade. It's just that if everyone sits in their chairs doing nothing, a lot of small effort doesn't make any change.

In #BlackLivesMatter's case...

In the summer of 2016, #BlackLivesMatter took the internet by storm after existing for nearly four years. Heartwrenching stories and videos were spread across various social media platforms, shooting straight into the empathy of the audience. 

Culturally, the targeted audience is the type of person to have the spirit to rally and protest for their beliefs. Only... protests are dangerous for all. More tragic deaths resulted from these rallies, which teaches one to cherish any life-- for it is so easily snapped.

This is not to say that #BLM was incorrect. In fact, the fact that it swept across the internet is quite a feat and raised awareness globally to protect the African-American people against prejudice and harm. BLM was a balanced braid of both activism and slacktivism, and the deaths associated and caused by it were poignant in all hearts across America-- no, hearts worldwide.

#TheDress-- a serious twist.

Just a year before, in 2015, the internet was caught up in a trend: Is the dress gold and white or black and blue? (It's black and blue. I assure you.)

from mirror

The Salvation Army took the opportunity to spin #TheDress into a way of raising awareness for domestic violence and abuse towards women. In fact, a perfect example of slacktivism.

Though images stung in one's mind after seeing them, not much was done in terms of physical effort. Images and tweets were shared, but all the campaign did was raise awareness. The women (and others) being abused did not have a major condition change in their quality of living.

The message has been delivered. Now choose what you will do with it.