There is nothing new about activism. Activists are primarily younger, in their teens and twenties, rather than older adults. Many begin their activism while attending higher education campuses. It seems like every generation has some social-political cause(s) they raise to the foreground of societal consciousness, where media begins to play a roll in the spread of awareness. This became very apparent during the Vietnam War era and the events at Kent State University.
As details and images were disseminated through local media and the national evening news programs on the three major networks, information made its way around the country and protests slowly gained momentum. These protests typically began on higher education campuses on the coasts, and over time spread across the nation as peoples’ opinions changed.
In the digital age, protests gain worldwide attention in real-time due in large part to the advent of social media. The public no longer has to wait until the evening news to learn of events earlier in the day. Photos, videos, details, and information (also misinformation) spread immediately as witnesses share live video and post to social media sites like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
What makes hashtag activism different is the immediacy with which information spreads. What is the same is the follow-up work required to create a lasting impression which will bring change from constant and consistent civic engagement. The two most notorious social justice movements in recent years are #BlackLivesMatter and #NeverAgain and #Enough.
The fight for racial equality continues long after the Civil Rights Act. The debate over federal laws for responsible gun control has escalated as the number of mass murders from military-style weapons has escalated in the U.S. since the massacre at Columbine High School.
Social media will, I believe, continue to play a major role in civic engagement, social justice, and even more of a role in pressuring legislators to listen to their constituents and less to lobbyists.