Originally posted 2023-07-15 00:07:00.
In the digital age, social media has become a powerful tool for activism, including the fight for intersectional trans rights. While online engagement alone may not lead to material change, it can mobilize large numbers of people and amplify important messages. By approaching social media like organizers, we can maximize its potential and create a sustained impact in our communities. This article seeks to synthesize the principles of intersectional trans activism with strategies for effective social media organizing, promoting long-term engagement and tangible results.
Fact-Check and Discern: Critical thinking and fact-checking are crucial when engaging with social media. During crisis moments or trending conversations, it is essential to scrutinize the sources and individuals sharing information. Amplify voices that provide accurate and reliable insights. The WNYC’s Breaking News Consumer’s Handbook is a valuable resource for discerning trustworthy information during heightened, frenzied online conversations or fast-breaking current events.
Connect with Local Organizers: Discover and engage with local organizers and organizations that are already working on the social issues you care about. Recognize that even if a problem is new to you, there may be established groups addressing it in your community. For instance, if you are passionate about police reform, attend meetings held by police civilian oversight boards or city council budget sessions. Collaborate with existing organizers, offering your talents and support to strengthen their ongoing work, rather than starting something new.
#Revolution shouldn’t have to be trending for us to care and do our part. By harnessing the power of social media, we can create a sustained impact, amplifying intersectional trans activism and effecting change both online and offline.
Identify Power Players: Identify the key stakeholders who hold the power to effect change in the areas you are organizing around. Whether it’s elected officials, corporations, institutions, or influential individuals, determine how to contact them effectively through social media. Explore creative ways to apply pressure, such as tweetstorms or livestreaming while engaging with them in public settings.
Allocate Time: To create lasting impact, dedicate specific hours in your schedule for offline actions that complement your online advocacy. This can include reading relevant books, attending community group meetings led by local organizations, volunteering with mutual aid efforts, or participating in rallies and protests. By blocking time in your calendar, you prioritize these activities and ensure consistent engagement beyond social media.
Building an Online Community: Digital organizing is not just about mobilizing high numbers during trending moments but about sustaining interest and engagement in the long run. Focus on education, consistently engaging your followers, and organizing collective actions. Encourage your online community to participate in tangible actions like attending court hearings, signing petitions, or participating in phone or email campaigns. Cultivate an online community that remains committed to the cause beyond trending moments.
Transcending Social Media: While social media is a powerful tool, it should not be the sole focus of your organizing efforts. Encourage activists to take their advocacy offline as well. Create a balance between online and real-world actions, ensuring that even if social media accounts were to disappear, their impact would still be felt. Revolution should not depend on trends but on sustained dedication and action.
By embracing the principles of intersectional trans activism and adopting effective social media strategies, we can harness the power of online platforms to create tangible change. Scrutinizing information, connecting with local organizers, identifying power players, allocating time for offline actions, and building a committed online community all contribute to sustained engagement and lasting impact. Let us recognize the potential of social media as a starting point for activism, with the ultimate goal of effecting change in the world beyond trending moments.
This article is part of TML’s Intersectional Trans Activism series.