Trending by Brian Lee

It is absolutely wonderful to see all the changes in people brought on by the death of an

individual. To see how, all of the sudden, everyone on social media champions social justice as if it were some trophy to hold. To see how, all of the sudden, everyone is now on the Black Lives Matter

bandwagon as if it were some sports team to rally behind. To see how, all of the sudden, everyone is

now ready to prove their allegiance with hearts worn on their sleeves—though just out of reach, behind a digital screen.

It makes you wonder. Why now? Why does the death of an African-American man named

George Floyd incite so much activity? Perhaps it’s better to ask the opposite. Why is the death of

George Floyd necessary to incite so much activity? Why does an external event have to occur to

instigate rallies for...what was the reason again? Oh yeah, basic human rights.

Just like how the public interest waxes and wanes as the shock value of the news soars or

plummets, so does the interest of the individual. All of the sudden, when school shootings or police

brutality are no longer hot topics, it’s no longer important for one to work towards ensuring safety or

basic human rights. It’s as if some individuals charge their public voice only for those special moments when their virtue would be most obvious to others—when it would be most exalting for the preacher to preach.

Even to someone unknowing of the current situation, it’s obvious that support for social

justice movements have exponentially increased after the death of George Floyd. If this was the first

documented case of such a death, I could understand the spontaneous contribution of Instagrammers

across the globe; however—surprise—this issue, as well as so many others, is not new. And of course

with each event there is naturally going to be a bump in activity surrounding said issue, but it seems that activity, at least from the general public, goes from zero to one hundred and then back again to

zero as fast as it all started. This pattern of picking up then putting down social movements, as if we

should have a say in when is and when isn’t a good time to fight for basic rights, is just wrong. As long as something remains an issue, why should there be any reason for you to stop working towards fixing that issue?

And fighting for a cause does not require driving to your city hall with printed letters and paid

stamps. If you are honestly not in the position to donate, protest, or contribute in any of the other

several ways, then, at the very least, just be a decent human being. Though my experience is limited, I

have been made well aware of the immature, superficial attitudes which spread like the plague within

groups of people. If you praise a cause in public and don’t treat it with the same gravity in these private groups, you are not only part of this problem, but also perpetuating the root of all problems.

Now let me make myself abundantly clear if I haven’t already. This is not a lampoon on

organizations whose staff have dedicated years towards making a meaningful change nor those

individuals who earnestly donate, protest, or even just share credible information. This is a criticism on people who pick and choose when to support social justice. This is a criticism on people who post an Instagram chain on their story where the mentions take up more room than the message. Simply, this is a criticism on people who choose not to think with even an iota of effort. This is a criticism on the people who fake caring and walk in a stupor towards their social media, drunk on the opinion of

others, to post their cute bromides (which of course could only come straight from the heart) for all

the world to see. The people who then sit back and check the viewers of their story from time to time

(from second to second) and revel in the “impactful change” that they have made. The people who say, “How could I, that individual who has contributed to such a wonderful cause by taking 5 seconds out of my life to post be found with fault by anybody?” The people who, when questioned about their

story, reply, “What was the post about? Oh well...something to do with black lives matter...I mean if

you were really dedicated to the issue, you’d know yourself! Anyways...I’m posting this brand new

story that’s just as important as the previous one!”

And perhaps—if this describes you—you have done all of the aforementioned unknowingly.

But this, once again, is part of the problem. Wake up. This burst of unconscious slacktivism which fires in the wake of each new shocking case is not enough to make a change. Do not perceive the world to be as easily influenced as you yourself who takes delight not in sharing stories with the intent of attaining justice, but in fulfilling the easy social nicety of pouring your second heart out. The world is very much unlike you in that sense—to change it is not easy.

But right now, I am not asking you to change the world. I’m asking you to change yourself. I

am asking you to, for the first time in some of your lives, think independently. And, when you’re ready, just answer this simple question for yourself:

“Who am I posting for?”

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Brian is an incoming college freshman living in California. He enjoys writing short stories, essays, reading, and wearing Christmas sweaters out of season. He is currently pursuing studies in the fields of neuroscience and medicine.

Instagram: bloodbrianbarrier

Brian Lee