SLACKTIVISM a Word Or an Image? a Sentence Or a Scene?
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
22 Opinion MARCH 9, 2021 ALEX SU Editor #SLACKTIVISM Through the past couple months, there has The original intent of #BlackOutTuesday was for friends’ racist behavior.” A huge issue these social been a huge influx of citizens who have learned Instagram users to post a black square with links to media activists need to focus on is, how much the importance of activism for progression. It is charitable causes and helpful information on how to effort are you really putting into your cause? Real only through activism and those dedicated activists support the black community. Housewives actress Ramona Singer posted a black that improvement continues to be fought for. But square with a heart and the #BlackOutTuesday in this influx of uprisings and especially in this just days after commenting “all lives matter” on a media driven time, a new obstacle presents itself: separate post, according to People magazine. This performative activism. hashtag was a great example of who among those Also coined as “slacktivism” in 1995, performative with platforms were willing to go further to educate activism is defined as “a form of activism used themselves on the cause they claim to support and to increase one's social capital or personal gain who wanted to save face for their followers. rather than to offer genuine support towards a An example of performative activism that really movement, issues, or causes,” according to Petira shows the “performative” side: the “Hello Kitty says Ira, who runs her own blog, often speaking on ACAB trend.” This is a sort of meme or joke that has subjects like feminism or BIPOC rights. To break been trending on social media, making fun of those it down, performative activism is just what the Image courtesy of Google Images who use ACAB (All Cops Are Bastards) as a sort name describes--a performance. The frequently of aesthetic label. Hello Kitty being the aesthetic, seen Instagram black square posts with the caption However, the meaning seemed to get lost in with users connecting the character to important “#BlackOutTuesday,” graphic T-shirts with ACAB in a sea of performative activism from companies, movements and phrases such as ACAB. bright happy letters worn by white women, and “girl influencers, and just regular people. Instead of Some may argue that performative activism power” posts from ill-informed self deemed liberal helpful information being spread, the hashtag was normalizes conversation for heavy topics and feminists. But why are these situations problematic? quickly flooded by plain black squares with little spreads some amount of awareness. While this is They are still showing support by spreading to no significance. Feminista Jones, an author and true, we need to move past the spreading awareness awareness… right? speaker, stated in an interview with Vox, “People fell phase. People are aware; the issue is getting Considering recent events with the uprise for it because it takes minimal work and minimal them to act on it. Some helpful ways to push even in BLM protests and awareness, let us address effort.” further are actions like going to protests, listening #BlackOutTuesday. For background, this hashtag Newport student Cooper Brandli (11) also to those affected, and like Brandli stated, calling started in support of George Floyd, a black man noticed that “countless individuals would repost out your friends. It is vital to hold those around us who was killed by police officer Derek Chauvin useless graphics and black squares but never post accountable as getting people to change and listen is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, according to CNN. petitions, never protest, and never call out their the first step. BRYAN KIM A Word Or An Image? A Sentence Or a Scene? Reporter According to Statista, currently, the annual print book sales in the US Ding (10). Putting a few amount to 650 million copies. On top of that, in March 2020, Comcast reported hundred pages worth that the average American household watched television for 66 hours a week. of words into a few Reading books and watching movies have always been a huge part of our lives. hours of film is im- They’re both forms of entertainment to help people unwind and escape from possible, so directors the grueling reality. But between books and movies, which one is better? either scrap details or A common point of comparison is their convenience. Olivia Paulucci (9) alter scenes to shorten claims that “it’s easier to put down a book for a while and pick up where you the length. But that left off than it is to pause a movie and come back to it a week later.” There isn’t doesn’t mean a movie a bookmark feature with movies, so the best second option is to remember the is necessarily less in- time you stopped at and find that time again when continuing, which is more teresting. According to of a hassle than using a bookmark or taking note of the page you stopped on. Conner Anderson Another key difference regarding convenience is that a movie can’t be watched (10), movies “express anywhere. Although movies have become much more accessible, carrying the ideas in the media, around a book is less bringing the concepts limiting since it isn’t and ideas to a high- dependent on having a er level than books, device or internet. where much of the ef- While the conve- fort goes into painting a Images courtesy of Google Images nience is important picture.” Books capture the attention of the reader by stimulating the creativity difference to notice, a of their mind. Movies are a visual representation of the book, and the effects of more crucial aspect is the images are enhanced by stunning graphics or amazing soundtracks. the enjoyment. “Some- It’s difficult to decide which form of entertainment is better. As summed up times books are better by Abby Yi (9), “books are better for escapism and movies are just good for a than movies since I small distraction of some sort.” Books are open for interpretation, which allows can read it all and get the reader to shape the story into something they find the most pleasing. Mov- the details the movie ies, on the other hand, are more visual and auditory, requiring less effort. But in may otherwise scrap the end, comparing books and movies is like comparing apples and oranges. It or change,” says Olivia all comes down to preference. MARCH 9, 2021 Opinion 23 The Advice Column BRYAN KIM AND SARAH SCALLON Reporters How do you find energy and motivation to get through the day and finish your schoolwork? S: Incorporate work breaks into your day! You won’t be able to finish any work if you’re burnt out. You could also try motivating yourself by giving yourself a reward ONLY if you finish your work. B: You could try splitting the work into small chunks. This helps with not feeling overwhelmed with big What does everyone feel like/think projects or assignments. about their own existence? S: I tend not to think too much about it or else it’ll stress me out... #Yolo (If you send yourself into an existential crisis it can be draining, but just know that you’re important and you matter.) B: Ideally with a healthy mindset, you’d understand that there’s a reason you exist. However, especially during the pandemic, many people are more stressed, depressed and self deprecating, so they tend to think that they aren’t needed and worthless. However, this is not true. What methods do you use when you No matter what, don’t forget that there are always need to put down your phone, or people who care about you, and that you are whatever is distracting you, and get somebody’s ray of light. your work done? S: Give your phone to a parent or sibling to hold onto while you finish your work! If you’re able to, try moving to a quiet space with minimal distractions (preferably not your bedroom) B: Put everything away into a location that’s inconvenient to access. This is to discourage you from getting them back. If you’re going out of your way to retrieve the distraction before finishing your work, then it could be an addiction, in which case you should try to get professional help to break it for future benefits. 24 A&E March 8, 2021 Schindler’s List Luke Lee Reporter Steven Spielberg gives the audience a powerful film of the While the Schindler’s List is not without its flaws, the film serves as Holocaust told from the perspective of a man who had first looked to an important reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust and gives its gain from it. Oskar Schindler, played by Liam Neeson, is a playboy and a audience an affirming message of the triumph of the human spirit. The profiteer when we first meet him. He is often seen buying Nazi generals moment when we witness Amon Goth shoot Jewish prisoners for sport is and comrades lavish drinks and food and taking photos with each of the paralleled with Jewish weddings in the barracks. The moments of children soldiers. As Schindler’s journey to profit from the war begins, he sees hiding in human feces from the prospect of being sent to Auschwitz are a revenue-rich avenue by using the detained Jewish people to be his paralleled with Schindler buying food and clothes for his workers. workers. He collaborates deeply with Itzhak Stern, played by Ben Kingsley, As Americans look to push forward during this pandemic and regain the who organizes and operates Schindler’s business while Oskar establishes economic and social status that was lost, Schindler’s List serves to remind the connections needed to operate during a hostile and prejudiced time.