Many years ago I heard a song, which contained this phrase:
“When did a check take the place of love, and what would Jesus think of that?”
Though I can’t recall the name of the song, I do know that that phrase has stuck with me for many years.
To me, it was a warning, and a reminder to do more than just throw money at a problem. Often we see something that needs to change, or people that need our compassion, so we pull out our wallets and write a check. This way we can feel good about doing “our part” without actually having to get our hands dirty.
As it turns out, we don’t even need a checkbook to do “our part” anymore. Just change your profile photo, repost your status, or click “like” and there.. you’re done. Or at least we are led to think so.
It’s called slactivism..and Wikipedia defines it this way:
“The word is usually considered a pejorative term that describes “feel-good” measures, in support of an issue or social cause, that have little or no practical effect other than to make the person doing it feel satisfaction. The acts tend to require minimal personal effort from the slacktivist.”
For me it’s my second least favorite Facebook update. You’ve seen these examples:
“Change your profile photo to a cartoon character”
or
“I’m 30 weeks and I’m craving pop tarts ”
or
“If this page get’s 1 million likes, my dad will stop smoking.”
So we click “like” or repost the status, or change our photo, and move on.
I know that these are all good things to support. Yes, we should definitely care about these issues. However, in my opinion these “tactics” are actually counter productive to what is hoping to be accomplished. Here’s why:
1. People Get Confused - My friend, who was married a few years ago, put in her status something like. “I’m 10 weeks and craving honey buns” To which the comments were things like. “Congratulations” and “How long have you known?” ,”I’m going to be an aunt?” I can just say that “Breast Cancer Awareness” was not the message people were getting.
2. We Discourage Real Involvement – We get a sense of satisfaction by participating in these types of updates. It scratches that itch we have to “help out” and can sometimes make us less likely to support something tangible when the opportunity arises. “Would you like to give money?” “No thanks, but I’ll like your page on Facebook.”
3. Nothing Real Happens- Profile pictures and status updates don’t feed people, or provide shelter to families, or really even raise money. I know, before you say “But wait…If we raise awareness, we’ll raise money!!” I want to point out that most of these campaigns do not say what they are raising awareness for, it’s cryptic, much less give a link or place to go for more information or a way to donate.
So what can you do?
1. Be Active - Give money, give of your time.
2. Be Unique - Update your status with something real, don’t copy everyone else. Tell me why you support your cause, make it personal.
3. Be Informative – Tell me the ways I can contribute. Give me a link for more information or to donate, or a phone number to call to volunteer.
Unfortunately slacktivism this is nothing new. Facebook has just given us a new way to express it. This poem is written on the wall of a missionary training center.
I was hungry,
and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.
I was imprisoned,
and you crept into your chapel and prayed for my early release.
I was naked,
and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.
I was sick,
and you knelt to thank God that you were in health.
I was homeless,
and you told me of the shelter found in the love of God.
I was lonely,
and you left me alone to go to pray for me.You seem so holy, so close to God
but I am still very hungry-and lonely- and oh so very cold!
It reminds me that it is all too easy for us to think we are doing something, when we are really doing nothing at all.
I would love to hear your comments and thoughts. Leave them below.
Like I said this is my second least favorite type of Facebook update.. read about the first.
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