Recently in classes we have been talking about the concept
of hashtag activism. Does it truly benefit the people it claims to help? Over
the past couple of months the ice bucket challenge has become the most popular
hashtag activism. Participants in the ice bucket challenge can either dump a
bucket of ice water over their heads or donate $100 to help find a cure for ALS.
I think this does a great job in raising awareness for this horrible disease. I
myself have a neighbor who suffers from ALS, and to see its effect on him and
his family is truly horrible. However, I do find it strange how many people
would rather dump a bucket of ice over their heads, then donate to find a cure
for ALS. I had many friends who thought that just had to do the ice bucket
challenge, and then some anonymous donor would give money to help find the
cure. I understand the need to raise awareness, but it doesn’t seem to do any
good if no one is actually donating any money. After all, you can’t fund research
with buckets of ice water. As of right now there is still no cure for ALS, and
no real effective treatment for the horrible disease. Personally I believe the
victims would benefit more from everyone who the ALS ice bucket challenged to
donate any amount of money to find the cure for ALS. To me that would make a
bigger difference than just dumping the water on your head and nominating
others to do the same.
This is
just the recent in a long line of hashtag activisms that are really only good
for raising awareness. People seem more concerned about participating in what
is trending and what is popular, then actually doing something about it.
Unfortunately tweeting about something horrible in the world, does not stop it
from happening. If people truly wanted to make a difference they would go out
of their way to improve the situation rather than just sitting on social media.
However, people will argue that there isn’t a whole lot they can do, especially
for something like the girls being kidnapped in Nigeria. They would argue that
spreading awareness is one of the few things they can do for these girls, to
hopefully put pressure on some government to do something about it. I agree
with this idea, and do think it’s great how social media can be used to help
spread awareness on current issues happening throughout the world. I do believe
though, that it is all for nothing if everyone fails to act on that situation.
The only downside to this spreading of awareness, I believe, is that once a new
trend develops, people tend to forget all about the other situations.
Unfortunately, I think there is a desire in our culture to be as up-to-date as
possible, and that includes moving on from the current trend. If the ALS bucket
challenge doesn’t raise enough money for a cure, then it can’t be forgotten.
Scientists will still need funds to help find a cure for a horrible disease. I
hope that doesn’t happen with this most recent source of hashtag activism.
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