In "Social Media and the Egyptian Revolution: Reconsidering Resource Mobilization Theory," Nahed Eltantawy and Julie B. Wiest discuss the role that social media played in the Egyptian revolution in 2011. Although I've heard a lot about how social media is changing the way that we engage in activism, this article brought up several points that distinguish the role of social media in the Egyptian revolution from its uses in other forms of activism.
First of all, in this case, the users of social media were actually the individuals who instigated the revolution and partook in it. This is noteworthy because we usually see social media used by others to advocate for those who are being affected by a particular issue. In most cases, theses "advocates" are privileged individuals in developed countries who have the resources and ability to use social media to promote or raise awareness for a cause. Even if we remove social media from the equation, activism is a practice which is normally associated with individuals who are removed from the issue for which they are advocating. For example, in the case of the Occupy Wall Street movement, the majority of protesters were white, educated, and had relatively high salaries. Unfortunately in most cases, activism is a practice that requires a certain level of privilege to partake in. However, I believe that the next step should be to empower individuals at the grassroots level to advocate for themselves and their communities. Grassroots movements often occur at a more local level, and are "bottom up" as opposed to "top down" (implemented by more traditional power structures).
The authors also mention that, "Written messages and images circulating on Facebook, Twitter, and blogs appeared to strengthen the collective identity of Egyptians worldwide, who may have already supported the fight against a dictatorial regime." I believe that this strengthening of identity is another phenomenon that makes the use of social media in the Egyptian revolution unique. When we promote a certain cause or raise awareness about an issue, it becomes easy (and almost second nature) to label those affected as the "other." We consider them distinct from us, and fail to consider how all of our lives are intertwined. This can lead to the development of the "white savior complex," in which the advocates consider themselves to be superheros of a higher status than those for whom we are advocating. However, in this case, the use of social media did not separate populations, but rather brought them together and prompted individuals to consider their connections to each other on a global scale. As Gangulu activist Lilla Watson said, "If you have come here to help me, you are wasting our time.But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."
Another remarkable fact that I learned from the article was that social media was used to exchanged "information, ideas, and words of encouragement" between activists from both Egypt and Tunisia. I believe that this sort of collaboration is another goal that activists in general should work towards. I do not see much collaboration or exchange of ideas between different activist groups, which is a shame because I believe that there is much to gain from supporting and challenging one another. Furthermore, since all social justice issues are inter-woven in some manner, it is impossible to address one issue in isolation. Thus, working together can lead to better innovation and more effective solutions.
First of all, in this case, the users of social media were actually the individuals who instigated the revolution and partook in it. This is noteworthy because we usually see social media used by others to advocate for those who are being affected by a particular issue. In most cases, theses "advocates" are privileged individuals in developed countries who have the resources and ability to use social media to promote or raise awareness for a cause. Even if we remove social media from the equation, activism is a practice which is normally associated with individuals who are removed from the issue for which they are advocating. For example, in the case of the Occupy Wall Street movement, the majority of protesters were white, educated, and had relatively high salaries. Unfortunately in most cases, activism is a practice that requires a certain level of privilege to partake in. However, I believe that the next step should be to empower individuals at the grassroots level to advocate for themselves and their communities. Grassroots movements often occur at a more local level, and are "bottom up" as opposed to "top down" (implemented by more traditional power structures).
The authors also mention that, "Written messages and images circulating on Facebook, Twitter, and blogs appeared to strengthen the collective identity of Egyptians worldwide, who may have already supported the fight against a dictatorial regime." I believe that this strengthening of identity is another phenomenon that makes the use of social media in the Egyptian revolution unique. When we promote a certain cause or raise awareness about an issue, it becomes easy (and almost second nature) to label those affected as the "other." We consider them distinct from us, and fail to consider how all of our lives are intertwined. This can lead to the development of the "white savior complex," in which the advocates consider themselves to be superheros of a higher status than those for whom we are advocating. However, in this case, the use of social media did not separate populations, but rather brought them together and prompted individuals to consider their connections to each other on a global scale. As Gangulu activist Lilla Watson said, "If you have come here to help me, you are wasting our time.But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."
Another remarkable fact that I learned from the article was that social media was used to exchanged "information, ideas, and words of encouragement" between activists from both Egypt and Tunisia. I believe that this sort of collaboration is another goal that activists in general should work towards. I do not see much collaboration or exchange of ideas between different activist groups, which is a shame because I believe that there is much to gain from supporting and challenging one another. Furthermore, since all social justice issues are inter-woven in some manner, it is impossible to address one issue in isolation. Thus, working together can lead to better innovation and more effective solutions.