Tweets and Change

In "Public Writing for Social Change", Ashley Holmes details extensively the process of public writing for a specific end, that being social change. This is obvious enough from the title, but it's worth mentioning now in order to make clear the transition I'm about to make in this post. Rather than the process itself, I'd like to, for the extent of this post, talk a bit about social media's role in this process. 

First, let's note some major websites. Facebook and Twitter are the most prominent mainstream social media sites, in my opinion, and the latter will be the focus. "Social media sites" here, I'm defining as places on the Internet where people are more likely to genuinely interact. This means a greater atmosphere for digital social connection, and thus, social change.

One example, noted by Holmes, is with the #MeToo movement.  This has had positive effects, in that it has made speaking up about sexual harassment and abuse easier and more socially acceptable, regardless of the harasser or abuser's position. It has also garnered backlash, with many people denouncing the potential dangers of "Cancel Culture". Regardless, it's undeniable that thought processes have changed following this hashtag and movement's explosion in virality. 

Certainly, a singular post (or tweet) with a hashtag won't garner attention, much less incite change. However, it is when people interact and relate to the post on a great scale that a shift in society's flow may occur. Further, and as Holmes points out, the skill of public writing can more easily foster this outcome. People are more likely to read and respond to something that is well written and connects with them in some way. That's a fairly obvious takeaway, but the process of getting there is a bit less simple. 

Otherwise there wouldn't be a need for classes over the subject. Haha.

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Holmes, Ashley. "Public Writing for Social Change." https://writingspaces.org/past-volumes/public-writing-for-social-change/