JustificationThe activist organisation that willbe reviewed in the essay is “SaveBeeliar Wetlands”. This article supports the essay by acknowledging thatpeople to people relationships are critical in activism. “Save Beeliar Wetlands” deploys both traditional and contemporarysocial activism to push for social change. SummaryTraditional activism compliments contemporary socialactivism, but both approaches are critical to bring about social changes. Gladwell (2010) believes that social activism through socialmedia is based on “weak ties”. Social media like Facebook and Twitterdemonstrate their strengths and effectiveness in social activism. The author emphasisessocial media as a “critical organizing tool” whereby people can cooperate,organize and voice out their issues collectively.
However, social activism lackscentral leadership, authority control, discipline and strategic thinking.Gladwell asserts social activism as “low-risk activism.” In contrast, traditional activism is associated with leadershipand authority operating effectively with clear goals and strategic planning. InGladwell’s view, traditional activism endorses “resilience and adaptability”.However, the risks can be high. For example, the Montgomery Bus Boycott wherehierarchy leadership and strategic planning enabled African Americans to overcomesegregation barriers in the midst of racial tensions.
The author concludes by speculating that future digitalprotesters on social media have “weak ties” that set it apart from high risktraditional activism. CriticalAnalysis Gladwell’s argument spells the merits of the internet as asocial network connecting people. Some critics may challenge his views thatsocial activism has limited appeal. For example: “seem to believe that aFacebook friend is the same as a real friend” is subjective as some internetusers know their own social circles. However, social activism has evolvedthrough the arrival of the internet. The author views online social networks as’weak’ because ‘discipline and strategy’ are not included unlike traditionalactivism. ReferenceGladwell, M. 2010.
“Small Change: Why the revolution will notbe tweeted.” The New Yorker, October 4. http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/10/04/101004fa_gladwell?printable=true
