The ongoing struggle for social and racial justice in the public square has unfolded alongside a takeover of the virtual one. Amid cell-phone footage of protests and toppling statues, the internet has been further inundated with what we might call online social activism.
The digital space has given voice to the outrage, grief, trauma, anger, and resiliency within the black and brown community of Aotearoa New Zealand. It has unified a diverse group of people, activated our common allies, and demanded action, but not without a price. And while there is no question that social media is a powerful activism tool, we must recognise its difficult complexities in order to make positive progress.
We speak with young leaders behind the historic 14 June Black Lives Matter Wellington rally, attended by 20,000 people, to learn more about their experiences with online social activism.
- Has the internet become better at mediating change?
- What is the toll on young people and how can we better support them?
Join our online panel in a candid conversation about the double-edged sword of online activism, and the internet stories we aren’t hearing.
