hat once required
the determination
and bravery of
thousands may now be accomplished only by a ten-second video. Sixty years ago, when icons like Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Amelia Boynton, and 25,000 other brave souls stepped atop the Edmund Pettus bridge, a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement was made. A nation divided became one of understanding and acceptance. Although those activists faced extreme risks to fight for basic human rights and to advocate for their fellow men, it has become much simpler to act now.
Today, in the 21st century, the rapidity at which new information now spreads changed the way activism can be shown. The 25,000 people it used to take to gain notice and make a statement has now become as uncomplicated as posting a TikTok reel.
Popular social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have proven essential for young people to share about their lives and their beliefs. And these social media platforms, now more than ever, are the primary conduit for sharing information amongst young people. As this next generation of leaders will make up the foundation for our country, we’ve left it up to them to make their mark. Thankfully, we as a nation have already started feeling their impact. At Columbia University, hundreds of students risked their enrollment to protest against the war in Gaza. They laid tents on the campus and lived there for several days. Clips of policemen responding to the students with brutality, videos of how they were living and the message these teens sought to display emitted in blue light
all over social media.
A few hundred protestors gained the attention of millions. Influencers led and supported hundreds of GoFundMe campaigns supporting families in Gaza. Approximately 300M has been raised for both Gaza and Israel since the attack on October 7th, 2023.
Although a great deal of the teens who open TikTok don’t tend to go searching for news updates, seeing the abuses faced by some as young as themselves can truly inspire. Maybe they’ll attend the next protest, share it with a friend, or donate to a family in need. Activism has developed since 1965 but the heart and strength in all those who continue to pursue its name is still full of life.
W