Facebook activism - we’re all guilty of it. Ranting about the latest Obama administration scandal or arguing over the minimum wage with an anonymous liberal on Twitter. While it might seem important in the moment, and can certainly make your blood boil, is it really doing anything productive?
Now we’re finding out what many have long suspected. These social media platforms are censoring conservative news and postings. Former Digital Grassroots Director for Marco Rubio’s presidential campaign, Cabot Phillips, recently explained on Newsmax that he noticed such censorship this election cycle!
This is certainly outrage-worthy, but does it even matter?
My answer comes in two parts.
First, yes of course it matters! This is censorship at its finest and inherently wrong. It is also a sign of the times. When the general population only sees one side of an issue, it can be easily assumed that there is no opposition or counter-argument. Such censorship stagnates any creation of a conservative culture and keeps citizens in the dark.
But on the other hand, perhaps we should step away from the keyboard and go where our voices will truly be heard: face to face, peer to peer, in person.
I’m even guilty of this ineffective brand of activism now and again. I’m proud of my Twitter following and am a firm believer that you can reach new audiences through digital media. But Facebook activism alone is not enough. It is only supplementary.
Proverbs 26:4 says, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.”
Similarly Mark Twain said, “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.”
Everyone knows it’s much easier to type something rude in haste. It’s when you get in front of someone that real discussion can take place.
I’m not just talking about discussions around the dinner table, although such conversations can certainly be important. I’m talking about stepping outside of your comfort zone and outside of your echo chamber. Effective activism is community engagement with clipboards and tennis shoes - the real hard work that requires you to roll up your sleeves.
As this election cycle progresses, please by all means, tweet #NeverHillary, post conservative articles, and even get in a few social media debates if you dare. But more importantly, give your Twitter fingers a rest and instead, do the hard work it takes to win.