Activism in digital age

Image: (left to right) Faye Simanjuntak, Yacko

As the digital age progresses, the reliance on social media platforms continues to increase. Whether used as a gateway to one’s personal life or a tool to relay information, social media upholds the idea of freedom of expression. In more recent times, especially amid the global Covid-19 pandemic, activists have relied on social media to reaffirm and endorse their causes. For example, the use of social media during Pride Month, an annual celebration of the LGBTQ community.

Others outside the community often take part in this movement to support the cause. Besides participating in rallies, many took to social media to voice their concerns by using hashtags and posting rainbow-related pictures along with their opinions or even infographics.

Activism is when one takes vigorous action in campaigning for a certain cause. There is no rulebook in the world of activism, so there is no telling whether the activism on display is right or wrong. Activism can exist in many forms.

Activism may also take the form of peaceful protests, such as the Jakarta Women’s March that took place in April. To a certain extent, even something as simple as sharing an infographic or insightful post on a certain cause on social media can also be considered activism.

Due to social media’s nature of self-expression and accessibility, people are expected to be as accessible and outspoken. The main expectation that comes out of activism now is the idea to be public about the moves you’re making. However, the greatest moves are more often than not cast from the shadows rather than in the light.

For instance, during the #ReformasiDikorupsi movement back in 2019, students flooded Indonesia’s House of Representatives in protest against many laws that were seen unjust. Students who took part in the protest ended up going viral and gained a following. Soon, these figures were approached by brands for endorsement deals.

When nuanced with personal gains, such as fame, traction and attention, activism can easily be dubbed as performative activism. Performative activism usually stems from a place of privilege and the people engaging in this activity take advantage of the marginalised by acting on their behalf and exploiting their suffering to reap personal gain. It goes without saying that performative activism is harmful. However, because the harm is not direct, the difference between the two becomes elusive.

This phenomenon thus sparks a conversation about social media and its relationship with activism. Where do we draw the line?

To help come to a conclusion, TFR interviewed two Indonesian activists who fight for the causes they believe in and further their agenda on social media: Yacko, a 41-year-old female rapper, and Faye Simanjuntak, an 18-year-old female who founded Rumah Faye and co-founded What Is Up, Indonesia?

Yacko advocates for women’s rights through her music. “Actually, I'm still in the process of learning to do activism. But, one thing I know for sure is that I use my lyrics as a weapon to speak up and raise awareness of an issue.”

Image: Yacko at 2020 Women’s March Jakarta

Yacko does not believe that using social media for activism is a setback. According to her, the mix of social media and activism is not necessarily a bad thing. “It definitely transformed the way activism is communicated by spreading the information through social media feed, especially the ones that are not available in the mass media.”

Faye shares the same view, “In a lot of ways, both positively and maybe a little bit negatively, social media has allowed more people to hear and more people to speak. A lot more people are aware of what’s happening much faster than ever before. It’s an unprecedented access to information.”

“It could also be utilised to express one’s opinions that relate to a cause, as well as encourage other people to engage and take actions. Most importantly, it could grow into a real life movement,” Yacko added.

“Today it’s also easier for activism to get attention from local authorities and really spark change. For example, before the all-encompassing digital age took over, we’d have to file a report if we felt dissatisfied with a certain thing. Now, if a hashtag goes viral, its effectiveness far exceeds filling out a form,” Faye opined.

However, with such abundant access to information, Faye fears that information will be more subjected to oversimplification. “It’s so much easier to see one sentence, get mad and amplify that one sentence without understanding the whole topic. Oversimplification is so dangerous because there are underlying issues that need to be talked about.”

Image: Faye Simanjuntak courtesy of Rumah Faye

When asked about what she thinks of performative activism, Faye’s view is a little more personal. “Knowing that there are people out there who only “become activists” or post on their stories to virtue signal is not a great feeling, considering that myself and my team work tirelessly to the bone to spark change in Indonesia.” Yacko’s answer is on the same spectrum, saying that there will always be performative activists who take advantage of certain issues for personal gain.

“But I have to go back to this point; nobody can police activism. There’s barely any way of knowing whether people are doing activism truthfully. Maybe it’s not as effective as it could be, but that doesn’t mean that they’re just doing it for clout,” Faye added.

Yacko feels that somehow it is a part of their learning process. “A process to understand the real meaning of activism, to learn whether they are comfortable talking about it or not, to evaluate their own intention, and to find out whether they can transform to be a genuine activist and amplify their voices and use their privilege.”

“Sometimes activists like myself and other grassroots activists can’t be picky. The hard truth is that people who are in a place of privilege often have a bigger sway than those most impacted. Even if it's performative we don’t really have a choice except to accept that form of activism,” said Faye.

Performative activism, when done without thorough research, can have catastrophic consequences. Perhaps not directly to those performing it, but it will hit the grassroots activists who work to amplify marginalised voices.

So how do we take activism beyond the Internet?

“Speak up and develop constructive conversations starting from the smallest circle like family and friends, attend any community events or rally that revolve around our cause, donate money, invest time and resources,” Yacko answered. Faye stated that activism on the Internet is still very much valid.

“Activism is different for a lot of people, and if people are in no position to take their activism beyond the Internet, then it isn’t really their fault. The most important thing about activism is alongside educating others, you should also educate yourself. We have a responsibility to not make our individual voices louder, but to amplify the voices of communities who need it,” Faye explained.