A Milennial View on the #enditmovement
I hesitate to jump onto social media fads, especially as it relates to social justice causes.
Why? I want to know more about something before I just slap my name, dignity and support on. Do you ever feel that hesitancy?
As a student of nonprofit organizations, I have spent the last few years pouring not only over concepts of promoting social justice awareness, but also efficacy of such endeavors. Basically- does all this social media hype actually do something worthwhile for the causes they claim to stand for?
So I’ve do some research. Critics often rest a majority of their argument on the basis that social media buzzes like the #enditmovement encourage “slactivism” support. (Term mentioned in CNN article.) People draw a red ‘X’ on their hand and post on social media one day out of the year and move on with their lives, according to one Huffington post article. And sure, I’ve seen that type of response- well meaning people who don’t give it much thought beyond that one day out of 365. But Gary Haugen, CEO of International Justice Mission (a three star nonprofit, out of four stars so realistically they are doing pretty good), said this, “Nothing happens just because we are aware of modern-day slavery, but nothing will ever happen until we are.” 👏🏼
Here at Evangel, we are in the middle of our “Diversity Week.” It’s a celebration of our differences and an open invitation to engage our students in conversations that help us to better understand one another. I love it!!! Today is also February 7, a day celebrated world wide, to shine a light on slavery in the modern world. Slavery: “when one person completely controls another person using violence or the threat of violence to maintain that control, exploits them economically, pays them nothing and they cannot walk away... It includes bonded labor, forced labor & human trafficking.” (Huffington post).
For my business friends, slavery was a $32 billion industry in 2013, and a more current number is $150 billion annually. Makes me want to vomit.
So, are social media buzz, slactivism, and apathy the only result of campaigns like the #enditmovement that so many of us are celebrating today?
I mean, I looked it up. I read about it. If you made it this far, so did you. We need to have courage to press into hard issues and ask questions. Without that boldness to look scary things in the eye, to understand it even just a little bit more, we can’t even give change a chance. So whether it’s diversity week, shine a light on slavery day, or whatever your cause is- press in.
As for me, you’ll see a red ‘X’ on my hand today. I stand behind this cause. But may my X mark more than my social media page- may it mark a beginning. A beginning of understanding that leads to responsive & responsible action. Happy #enditmovement day!
Sources:
P.S. The CNN article has some resources at the end if you think you have witnessed or you see something you think is human trafficking (end of the article). I do hope this is helpful for someone! Please do read up more on your own- we might not understand everything fully, but should prayerfully and prudently seek out how to do our part!
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