Digital activism: Bringing minds together

The phenomenon of change is indeed inevitable. But, what is it that brings about a change? Is it an act of God or there lies a driving force within us? In any case, it is the outcome of driving force within every human mind, which once channelised and brought together can create wonders. History has duly noted how various human minds have come together for a cause and brought about a change. Revolution, as we call it, is not possible without collective and coherent action. What is it that makes it possible?

Leaders across the world have used various tools to propagate their ideologies and bring about a revolution, both for the good and bad. Some have failed and have faded with time, but few have created history. Besides history, this is true in the case of today’s world as well. Is such a revolution possible, considering the fact that each one of us lives a completely different life? Is it possible to bring us all together and make us stand up for a cause?

It is definitely possible today but only when we can bring everyone together on a common platform. A platform where they would express themselves freely and act collectively when need arises. This common platform today is the internet. Today, the majority of us live a socially connected life through internet. We live and experience an online life where in we express our opinions and ideologies free from many barriers that other-wise exist. If one has to reach out to people, specifically from certain demography, social media is the key.

Working on similar terms and fighting for their identity, is the Tibetan community, through Students for Free Tibet (SFT). Having lived in exile for years and being scattered around the world, it is a huge task for them to have a coherent existence. But this has not deterred the Tibetans, thus their cause has gained momentum through their collective effort. They have taken up this fight to gain a right that no one can be denied of - freedom. Coming from a country that has been tormented for decades now by a superpower, Tibetans are fighting for their own identity on the world map.

In order to execute this huge task and get people conscious, not only natives but people from round the world have taken up to it, through digital activism that SFT has taken up. Running campaigns aimed at lobbying for Tibet’s cause and making the governments of various countries aware of the situation in Tibet, SFT uses social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube among others as a platform to reach out to more people and eventually garner their support. This has also helped SFT to reach out to the people in China, who can be of great help in exerting pressure on the dictatorial regime of China over Tibet. “Nothing could have served the purpose better than digital activism. Our campaigns on Twitter and YouTube have helped us generating support in huge numbers worldwide,” said Rashi Jauhri, Project Co-ordinator, SFT Bangalore.

Building public opinion and collective actions through digital activism have definitely changed the norms of revolution today. While this has been testified in SFT’s efforts, it is true in the case of many other organisations that aim at progressive reforms. Digital activism has helped them making their voices count in this world, which is otherwise dominated by oppression and capitalism.