Throughout my own private journey of political thought the place social media has in “the revolution” (this is how I will refer to my ideal end goal of peace, community and the end of discrimination as I see possible.) is something I’ve spent time pondering. I think that social media movements and participating in them ultimately have one solid purpose: showing solidarity. I am reminded of the song “The Revolution Will not be Televised” by Gil Scott-Heron though when I think of any actual real world application of these methods. The reason “Love” despite its political intention by that of the artist could not prosper in being a good revolutionary tool is that it was too performative. Much like acts of solidarity on social media it is done often with good intention and is not inherently evil or wrong. It is my feeling however that the word as an emblem of peace encourages feelings of joy and togetherness while not expressly cutting ties with those that work directly against peace. Works like the “AIDS” piece are much more powerful expressly because of the way they alienate those who fear the queer community and subsequently aids victims. Today if this piece was posted to social media however it would likely be censored. For marginalized groups peace is not possible when powerful groups exclude them, we cannot spoon feed “peace” to those who won’t face their sins. Revolution in my eyes is not possible through social media, “The Revolution will not be Televised” and it will take the active role of those who are able to band together and remind those who are supposedly in power that the real power lies in the people. In conclusion, the “AIDS” piece would not be as powerful through social media today as it was on the streets and in the hands of the people throughout this history.
