Performative Activism, and Why It Sucks

graphic by tanner hogan

It's safe to say every Instagram user has seen an influx of social justice info-cards when clicking through their stories. They are typically stylized with pastel colors, trendy fonts, cute graphics, and a few facts about *insert social justice issue here* thrown in. Instead of attending protests (ahem SU's solidarity March on Washington) or calling out politicians, those who engage in performative activism believe a repost shows your followers just how ‘dedicated’ you are to fighting for human rights. 

We at Jerk can’t deny the internet is great at times (I mean, hey, how else are you reading this), but it also comes with its pitfalls. In the realm of activism, it can be tricky to navigate what information is accurate, which popular activists are sincere, and who is fundraising vs. who is commodifying. Learning how to engage in online activism responsibly is a practiced skill, but it can also be easily replicated.

For example, well-intentioned or not, mindlessly sharing isn't doing shit for anyone. If you don't know whether what you’re about to repost on your insta story is accurate and verifiable, take a step back before you hit upload. It’s okay to be unsure, as long as you put in the research to prevent spreading misinformation. Uninformed posting can undo the progress activists at the forefront of a movement have made, so be aware of what you're posting.

Along the lines of misinformation, social media shouldn't be the only place you get your social justice fix. Yes, reposted Twitter threads are convenient, but they aren’t exactly the gold standard of activist research as compared to published papers, studies, and books. Even (ACTIVE) listening to personal stories is a great way to get in touch with how something is affecting someone.

Use info cards as the catalyst for more in-depth research because the complexities of a social issue are definitely not fully explained in a two-slide Instagram post. Mistakenly thinking you understand the layers to an issue you don’t is not only embarrassing but harmful. Just put some of the same efforts you spend looking for exam answers on Chegg into actual research.

You don't need to be an expert on every single social justice movement, and there’s nothing shameful in understanding you can’t possibly know the nuances of every issue. Start with something that resonates with you, what you're curious about, or your community. Modern-day slavery? Defunding the police? #NotAgainSU? Go for it. Get comfortable starting off unaware when looking into an issue or problem. Ask questions and explore! From there, take the time to fact-check and look into reliable sources. Before sharing something, consider if it will contribute something meaningful to the discourse surrounding the issue. We at Jerk don't expect everyone to be the next Angela Davis, but maybe read some of her work.

Online activism isn’t the enemy; it’s whether or not that activism is authentic. Performative activism isn’t rooted in making concrete change. Performative activists only concern themselves with what their followers approve of and make sure it looks like they care. The lack of self-awareness and genuine concern is pretty fucked up. 

You're doing yourself and those who you are advocating for a disservice when you only spend three seconds looking at a post to never think of again. Visibility is important, but going beyond by understanding and actively participating is how you sustain a movement.