Throughout the past decade, activism has evolved in fascinating ways. In the storybook world of activism, there are two realms: the Kingdom of Protests and the Kingdom of Clicks. In terms of creating political change, allocated power and perceived justices, both hold unique powers. However, as for the future of advocacy, which will prove to be most effective in creating enduring and meaningful change?
Physical activism has been the cornerstone of advocacy through the use of protests, marches, sit-ins and rallies. The primary purpose of these outlets have typically been to build community, express solidarity with their respective causes and express dissent. One of the best examples of physical activism was the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This event drew 250,000 activists, complete with a diverse coalition of labor unions, religious groups and civil rights organizations. By analyzing an event like this, one can deduce that the power of physical activism lies in its sensory engagement and immediacy.
The immediacy is achieved through media attention, which prompts societal reflection. The act of physical protest is not only seen, but felt. Physical protestation offers an opportunity to foster interpersonal connections that can lead to an overall sense of deeper commitment to a cause. Participants and organizers are able to utilize these connections to further educational initiatives and create an informed community.
Digital activism has gained colossal relevance in the past decade with the increased advancement of technology and platforms to disseminate information. The benefits of digital activism are wholly encompassing. The broad reach of social media allows for a quick and efficient reach regardless of geographical location. Additionally, digital activism requires far fewer resources and is of great convenience to the organization.
Having seen both forms of activism utilized throughout the Summer of 2020’s Black Lives Matter riots, the 2020 election and now the 2024 election, I have come to the conclusion that physical activism will always be much more effective than digital activism. Physical activism fosters tangible community building, visual impact and media coverage, inspired generational involvement and resilience in the face of opposition.
Beginning with the concept of tangible community building, this can be tied closely to the “March for Life” that is held yearly. Through this event, women and men across the country who believe in pro-life values come together to show “strength in numbers” for a cause that millions of Americans are passionate about. Through building this network, multiple pro-life charities gain exposure and are able to create legislative movements through their turnout, as many legislators view their turnout as equivalent to the views of their respective constituencies.
The visual impact and media coverage of physical activism tie into the concept of tangible community building, as “silent believers” in certain causes feel empowered to voice their concerns when they see significant support behind niche issues. Amplification of passionate individuals allows for a more dynamic movement, one based in personality rather than strict policy. This can be evidenced by the power persona plays in our political environment. Unlike Britain, we don’t vote for the party over the individual. Often, we find ourselves voting for the personality over the party. The “Make America Great Again” movement isn’t just a result of Republicans coming together, but an array of individuals attracted to the individual that is Donald Trump and his prospective cabinet choices. This encompasses a wide array of political identities, from former Bernie Sanders supporters, such as Joe Rogan and Tulsi Gabbard, to prominent libertarians, such as Ron Paul and Judge Andrew Napolitano. Conversely, we see neoconservatives gravitate toward Kamala Harris, such as Liz and Dick Cheney.
Inspired generational involvement can be seen through the Anti-Vietnam War Protests, which is widely lauded as the catalyst to widespread youth activism that defined the 1960s to 1970s. This promotes activism that follows the youth well into their adult lives. The physical environment of “taking to the streets” is remembered far longer than the colorful Instagram graphic posted to one’s story. For this reason, I believe the weight of physical activism weighs more heavily on the sincerity-scale, and therefore, the effectiveness scale.
Overall, authenticity is what defines all in life. If interactions, institutions and the individuals within them do not operate in a mode of authenticity, are the three aforementioned “Is” even worthy of discourse? Social media has its upsides and is instrumental to our modern political landscape, but that does not make it fundamentally good in nature. The social media political revolution has dumbed us down, caused us to become single-issue voters on matters the executive branch of government often has no real control of, and has overall borne responsibility for the formation of an ill-informed electorate. The message? If you mean it, take it to the streets.
