Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#1
Posted: 3/26/13 at 10:35pm
What is everyone's thoughts on Facebook turning red today?
I've personally been surprised at the number of people I thought were socially conservative who are coming out in support of marriage equality. So much more red than I ever expected, but my friends/acquaintances do obviously skew liberal.
Is it just flash-in-the-pan slacktivism that doesn't do much for marriage equality? Or do you see it as an important and unprecedented show of support for gay marriage?
Social Media Turns Red
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#2
Posted: 3/26/13 at 10:48pm
It's actually been very heartening, IMO.
This said it best: http://daveholmes.tumblr.com/post/46382415125
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#2
Posted: 3/26/13 at 10:54pmI am on the same page Lizzie. It's really moved a lot of my friends who are now writing personal comments of thanks to people they never imagined supported equal rights.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#3
Posted: 3/26/13 at 11:03pmIt's a beautiful sight!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#4
Posted: 3/26/13 at 11:10pm
Will it "do" anything? Doubtful.
But I would imagine it warmed many hearts, and made many others think, both which are lovely things.
I know I was proud to see so much red on my FB Feed. Some from unexpected people.
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#5
Posted: 3/26/13 at 11:12pmEven just seeing that many from strangers, while browsing various FB fan pages and such, it's been great.
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Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#6
Posted: 3/26/13 at 11:13pmI think it's a great and important message, but that doesn't mean it's not slacktivism. Changing your Facebook profile photo won't impact the Supreme Court. It well let people know you care about the issue and stand united on a big civil rights battle. It helps demonstrate how mainstream support has become for same sex marriage despite a very loud echo chamber claiming otherwise. If changing the avatar encourages people to rethink their beliefs or do something more proactive, all the better.
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#7
Posted: 3/26/13 at 11:25pmI just can't do it because I won't participate in the co-opting by the Human Rights Campaign (taking the "gay" out of the gay liberation movement since 1980!). I can't.
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#8
Posted: 3/26/13 at 11:46pm
Fully respect your opinion on that one Namo. You could always put up one of the AFER logos to recognize the org that REALLY made this happen.
http://gayusathemovie.com/wp-content/uploads/afer_logo_fourlines-1.jpeg
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#9
Posted: 3/26/13 at 11:56pm
I generally tend to avoid "group think," but the first Facebook post I saw this morning with the red equality sign was that of actor Danny Burstein.
Since I love him and his wife Rebecca Luker so much, I was touched by the idea of him waking up this morning, seeing the red logos on more and more profiles, and deciding to post one as well in solidarity, with his gay friends.
I used a non-HRC equality sign. By midday, there was almost a competition going on to post variations on the HRC logo. I doubt most of the people who posted the original one had any idea it was connected to the organization.
It was just a lot of people saying, "Hey, honey! I think gay people should get married too--don't you?"
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#10
Posted: 3/27/13 at 12:02amOh my god. You had to hit me with the Danny Burstein angle. Thank you for showing some Tony Yazbeck restraint.
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#11
Posted: 3/27/13 at 12:12am
Jason Danieley followed soon after Danny Burstein.
Then Kerry O'Malley and Nancy Opel and Susan Blackwell and Ann Harada and Andrew Samonsky and Celia Keenan-Bolger and Don Correia and Heidi Blickenstaff and Matthew Scott...
And those were just the straight supporters I saw!
Then Marin Mazzie came up with the above lovely variation.
As for Tony Yazbeck? He didn't post on FB today, or else I feel sure he would have posted a lovely, red, non-HRC equality sign just for you.
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#13
Posted: 3/27/13 at 12:21amNormally I tend to hate these sort of things, since typically the people changing their profile pictures never tend to do anything to actually support the cause itself. But I have to agree that here, it's kind of a sweet site to see. I mean, it's not like anyone but the Supreme Court and the lawyers can have any say on how these hearings turn out, so in this case it's nice to know that people have our back.
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#16
Posted: 3/27/13 at 12:43am
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#17
Posted: 3/27/13 at 1:53am
Putting the HRC aside, the red logos show solidarity. We're stronger together. It's also been really refreshing to see so many of my conservative Texan friends showing red.
And I've never liked the HRC.
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#18
Posted: 3/27/13 at 4:01am
I was overwhelmed by all the red. I thought it was beautiful. It made me feel supported and I think it showed a lot of naysayers how much support we have out there. The majority of my friends rocked the red. I loved it.
I used this:
It's me and my 6 week old daughter. :)
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#19
Posted: 3/27/13 at 9:33amI continue to be surprised today by the support. It means a lot to me. People I never suspected would publicly say anything are changing their profile pictures. One such friend, a very country gal, changed hers to, "This Christian supports marriage equality!" That is just beautiful to me.
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#20
Posted: 3/27/13 at 9:48am
JG2 - that is beautiful.
I am not as aware of all of the issues with the HRC (I know of some of them), but I figured adding my chorus to the "Love is Love, Get Out of the Way!" song was the least I could do to show my support for my gay friends and loved ones.
Even if it is temporary, it is amazing seeing my news feed turn red with those in support of equality. Especially from those I did not expect it from.
Updated On: 3/27/13 at 09:48 AM
Joined: 12/31/69
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#22
Posted: 3/27/13 at 10:27am
I think it's great, but took so long to change my effing picture, I think I'll keep the original up even if it is from the HRC. I am so stinky at Facebook!
I did see this creepy post by someone from high school. It said to pray for marriage, but nothing explicitly bigoted. I, of course, commented that I was praying for marriage, mine and my husband of 20 years. So this morning she decided to be more specificly bigoted and one of her posts was the same background of the equality post with a man and woman instead.
So, are they trying to "take back" the color red?
"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#23
Posted: 3/27/13 at 10:28am...and JG2, I think yours is terrific!
"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS
Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?#24
Posted: 3/27/13 at 10:38am
Doodle, I've found a good response to people like that is to say "I wish for you exactly what you wish for me."
If that's the end of it, you've at least made your point. But I've found it's actually made some people stop and think.
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