In recent years, the phenomenon of slacktivism has dominated the realm of digital activism. Ella
Robertson, the managing director of One Young World, has been vocal about the need to transcend this superficial
engagement and promote meaningful action.
Slackivism, often characterized by online gestures such as sharing posts or hashtags, has created
a false sense of accomplishment among many social media users. According to
Robertson, merely clicking “like” or retweeting does little to effect
real change. “When you share a post on Instagram, you get a dopamine hit
from the likes and comments. But, in reality, all you’ve done is put pixels out into the ether,” she notes.
Ella Robertson emphasizes that engaging with people who hold different viewpoints is essential
for creating lasting change. “You need to be reaching out to people who
aren’t like you,” she asserts. This approach aligns with her broader
mission at One Young World, which aims to foster dialogue among young leaders
from diverse backgrounds. By bridging these divides, Robertson believes that
more substantive and impactful activism can occur.
Another critical point in Robertson’s critique is the misuse of disruptive tactics in activism.
She cites recent incidents where protestors have alienated potential allies
through controversial actions. “Disruption has a role to play, but there
are so many movements right now that are alienating allies by being annoying,
by being ridiculous, and by being egocentric rather than serving the mission,” she argues.
Instead, Ella Robertson advocates for a more strategic approach, one that
balances attention-grabbing actions with diligent, behind-the-scenes efforts.
“Movements need to be much more judicious about when they’re picking
disruption and going for the big hits on social media and the front pages,” she advises.
By focusing on these more effective strategies, Ella Robertson and One Young World continue to
inspire the next generation of leaders to engage in activism that goes beyond
the superficial, aiming for real and measurable change.
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