Activists Say Keep It Up - But Do It Online
The Trump presidency has seen push back in the streets even before he took office. Protests emerged as soon as the moribund Democratic Party and their legacy candidate Hillary Clinton lost to the most unpopular candidate in modern history in the 2016 presidential election.
But with lockdown orders precipitated by liberal government officials across the country, the form and style of protests have had to change along with so many other social activities in America.
“It's much easier to just sit at home and get angry online. We’re hoping the resistance to Trump will gain momentum as we shelter in place,” stated teacher activist Toby Trunkle.
“But for me showing up on the streets makes me feel better than going online,” commented Trunkle, comparing social media to ineffectual and self-absorbed street theater. “But that is a sacrifice we have to make right now to keep people safe.”
“When so many people around you are saying the same thing you know you’re right to protest Trump,” Simeon Dousengard stated while reflecting on his previous protests. Dousengard has been a counselor for twenty years and his profession involves listening to his clients. When asked how many conversations he has had with conservatives who disagree with him on the issues Simeon replied “Well they don’t listen to anyone. I have to keep talking over them, otherwise they won’t listen to me.”
“I thought the left had already been mostly talking to themselves. Online they’re going to reach a bigger audience?” questioned Sandra Fergesun, a former Bernie Sanders supporter who freelances as a graphic artist. “Using social media is only talking to your alter egos, except ones who are better looking and who actually eat well and exercise regularly.”
“You can’t do anything big online without also marching, having big rallies, and organizing in public and person to person,” commented Stephan Logan, local gardener and organizer of his Boulder neighborhood farmer’s market. Logan said he’d love to talk more but that he was busier than usual taking orders online and delivering produce to customers directly since the farmer’s market was closed down.
Black Lives Matter has continued the fight against police harassment and bullying by going online as well. “The online petition is the best way we can fight against the racial disparity of the Covid-19 deaths,” Co-founder Patrisse Khan-Cullors remarked. While well-meaning Americans go online and follow their prescribed social activity, African Americans continue to die disproportionately from the virus due to underlying health issues. “Generations of poverty and discrimination need to be fought, so sign the petitiion,” Khan-Cullors pleaded.
But with lockdown orders precipitated by liberal government officials across the country, the form and style of protests have had to change along with so many other social activities in America.
“It's much easier to just sit at home and get angry online. We’re hoping the resistance to Trump will gain momentum as we shelter in place,” stated teacher activist Toby Trunkle.
“But for me showing up on the streets makes me feel better than going online,” commented Trunkle, comparing social media to ineffectual and self-absorbed street theater. “But that is a sacrifice we have to make right now to keep people safe.”
“When so many people around you are saying the same thing you know you’re right to protest Trump,” Simeon Dousengard stated while reflecting on his previous protests. Dousengard has been a counselor for twenty years and his profession involves listening to his clients. When asked how many conversations he has had with conservatives who disagree with him on the issues Simeon replied “Well they don’t listen to anyone. I have to keep talking over them, otherwise they won’t listen to me.”
“I thought the left had already been mostly talking to themselves. Online they’re going to reach a bigger audience?” questioned Sandra Fergesun, a former Bernie Sanders supporter who freelances as a graphic artist. “Using social media is only talking to your alter egos, except ones who are better looking and who actually eat well and exercise regularly.”
“You can’t do anything big online without also marching, having big rallies, and organizing in public and person to person,” commented Stephan Logan, local gardener and organizer of his Boulder neighborhood farmer’s market. Logan said he’d love to talk more but that he was busier than usual taking orders online and delivering produce to customers directly since the farmer’s market was closed down.
Black Lives Matter has continued the fight against police harassment and bullying by going online as well. “The online petition is the best way we can fight against the racial disparity of the Covid-19 deaths,” Co-founder Patrisse Khan-Cullors remarked. While well-meaning Americans go online and follow their prescribed social activity, African Americans continue to die disproportionately from the virus due to underlying health issues. “Generations of poverty and discrimination need to be fought, so sign the petitiion,” Khan-Cullors pleaded.
Comments
Post a Comment