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Social media has changed the world in many ways, one of these ways is found in the methods of social activism we see in society.  Malcom Gladwell, author of "Small Change," reflects, "With Facebook and Twitter and the like, the traditional relationship between political authority and popular will has been upended, making it easier for the powerless to collaborate, coördinate, and give voice to their concerns." (Gladwell). 

The idea being social media connects us in ways we could not even imagine in the past.  The ability for people to communicate across great distance, and mobilize a large group of people is simply unmatched with the invention of social media.

Gladwell, however, does not necessarily think social media activism carries with it the same weight real life activism does.  He states, "The platforms of social media are built around weak ties. Twitter is a way of following (or being followed by) people you may never have met. Facebook is a tool for efficiently managing your acquaintances, for keeping up with the people you would not otherwise be able to stay in touch with. That’s why you can have a thousand “friends” on Facebook, as you never could in real life." (Gladwell).

He is essentially arguing that social media has more connection and ties for people, but those connection are not as strong as real life connections. This distances people from causes and leads to a lack of cohesion and leadership.  People are simply less motivated to act in real life because they believe social media is enough.

While I see how this could be possible, I do not think social media activism is something to discredit.  While the connections may be less strong, social media is able to spread the word about causes world wide.

In a piece titled "Building Tools For Digital Activism," DeRay Mckesson, a powerful voice for the Black Lives Matter Movement, is quoted in an interview saying, "I think that we have to be open to new ways of organizing and new ways of building community. I’m mindful that we aren’t born woke, something wakes us up, and for so many people, what woke them up was a tweet or a Facebook post, an Instagram post, a picture." (Opam).  

I completely agree with Mckesson's statement.  While social media activism may not be a stronger type of activism than real life activism, I believe it is a strong tool to utilize in tandem with real life activism.  Social media is how I first heard of the Black Lives Matter movement, and in asking my friends it was the same way for them.  I think this is a testament to the strength social media can bring activism.  While not everyone who reads about Black Lives Matter on social media becomes an activist, the potential for someone to help the cause make it worth it.

Gladwell, Malcolm. "Small Change." The New Yorker. The New Yorker, 12 May 2015. Web. 03 May 2017.

Opam, Kwame. "DeRay Mckesson on Black Lives Matter and Building Tools for Digital Activism | Verge 2021." TheVerge.com. The Verge, 29 Nov. 2016. Web. 03 May 2017.