Perreault Magazine - 10 -
SOCIAL MEDIA
AND JUSTICE
Social media can’t ensure social justice.
But it can affect the invisibility that is the first barrier to achieving it.
Modern media brings global events - good or bad – into our lives at the speed of light. Modern media celebrates consumption, not deprivation, and focuses too often on celebrity and personality, and not enough on complex issues whose solutions are long-term. We have instant access to information about virtually everything today — as close as the computer on our desk or the phone in our pocket - and that includes access to who is hurting, left out, left behind, and why. Especially during these most recent months, we have all witnessed a tremendous amount of injustices in America and around the world.
The good news is that the vulnerable, the poor, the tortured, the wildlife poaching, as examples, are not so ‘invisible’ anymore. Thankfully! They can no longer be so easily forgotten. I find it shameful and distracting when social media is used to trigger hatred, attacks and exploitation. There are many global urgencies to pay immediate attention to, especially those who will destroy our beautiful planet – and consequently human lives, marine life, wildlife – if not paid attention to. While being bombarded by information, social media also captures our challenges in addressing problems. So instead of simply ‘reading’ and ‘sharing’ information, I urge you to be selective, get involved with a cause and be part of the change.
In this issue, we share Lale Labuko’s story. Lale Labuko was born in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, as a member of the Kara tribe. Unknown to Lale, he was born into a village with a heartbreaking tradition. We share what the practice of Mingi is and how it is being approached and managed to lead to utter extinction.
Technology continues to change our lives in drastic ways! Andrew Bastawrous, Founder of Peek Vision, opened a ‘social enterprise bakery’ to restore eyesight in Kenya.