Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

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Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

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

My avatar is a reminder to myself. I need lots of reminders...

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

Posted: 3/26/13 at 10:48pm

It's actually been very heartening, IMO.

This said it best: http://daveholmes.tumblr.com/post/46382415125

"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

Posted: 3/26/13 at 10:54pm

I 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.

My avatar is a reminder to myself. I need lots of reminders...

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

Posted: 3/26/13 at 11:03pm

It's a beautiful sight!

"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

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.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

Posted: 3/26/13 at 11:12pm

Even just seeing that many from strangers, while browsing various FB fan pages and such, it's been great.

"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

Posted: 3/26/13 at 11:13pm

I 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?

Posted: 3/26/13 at 11:25pm

I 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.

Twitter @NamoInExile Instagram none

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

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

My avatar is a reminder to myself. I need lots of reminders...

#10

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

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?"

#11

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

Posted: 3/27/13 at 12:02am

Oh my god. You had to hit me with the Danny Burstein angle. Thank you for showing some Tony Yazbeck restraint.

Twitter @NamoInExile Instagram none

#12

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

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.

#13

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

Posted: 3/27/13 at 12:19am

I love this one.

#14

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

Posted: 3/27/13 at 12:21am

Normally 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.

I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.

#15

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

Posted: 3/27/13 at 12:22am

#16

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

Posted: 3/27/13 at 12:23am

#17

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

Posted: 3/27/13 at 12:43am

My avatar is a reminder to myself. I need lots of reminders...

#18

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

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.

#19

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

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:

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

It's me and my 6 week old daughter. :)

Pretty pretty please don't you ever ever feel like you're less than f**ckin' perfect!

#20

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

Posted: 3/27/13 at 9:33am

I 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.

Pretty pretty please don't you ever ever feel like you're less than f**ckin' perfect!

#21

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

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

#22

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

Posted: 3/27/13 at 10:10am

#23

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

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?

"Carson has combined his passion for helping children with his love for one of Cincinnati's favorite past times - cornhole - to create a unique and exciting event perfect for a corporate outing, entertaining clients or family fun."

"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS

#24

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

Posted: 3/27/13 at 10:28am

...and JG2, I think yours is terrific!

#25

Slacktivism or Important Show of Support?

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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