Written by Quasha Ross

American Cultural Anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Social activism consists of an intentional action to bring about social, political, economic or environmental change and is becoming the foundation of our generation today.

According to TBWA Worldwide, one of the world’s top 10 advertising agencies, more young adults (ages 20-28) are now actively supporting causes they care about. They are not only talking about the issues most important to them, but they are actually taking action.

“This study gives us insight into a generation that will inform clients’ brand strategies going forward,” Tom Carrol, TBWA president and CEO, said. “This engagement can be a big business driver. The more brands understand this shift, the better relationships they will form with this generation.”

According to TBWA, seven in 10 American young adults are social activists, and one in three young adults boycotts or supports a business based on the causes he or she cares about.

Little do we know, social media can be our best friend in the world of social activism. There was a time when social activism consisted of marches, sit-ins and protesters on the courthouse steps, but today the way we approach activism has changed.

Social media has made it possible to spread the word in a different way. We now have the opportunity to blog, create websites or create groups on Facebook. These are all outlets that can be used in favor of our own personal cause.

Grammy-winning recording artist, songwriter and activist Alicia Keys has a well-established presence in social media. In 2010, Keys, age 29 at the time, led a celebrity social media blackout in which celebrities refrained from using social media outlets until Keys’ charity raised $1 million for World AIDS Day. Just as Keys used many social media platforms, so can you.

Bloggers have a great opportunity to be objective in their message. They can voice their opinion on issues most important to them and possibly make it important to others.

Creating a public forum on a website that stands for a cause provides an opportunity for voices to be heard. Individuals who are passionate about certain issues have platforms to better communicate with others who share interests. Facebook, for example, allows an individual to make groups and pages dedicated to particular topics.

It’s easy to establish the mindset that because we are young we are not capable, but we must not let our age get in the way. We are young, but we have the ability to take on challenges and change the world. A simple blog post about an issue near and dear to your heart can make a difference.

Know that your social activism can change many lives. We are the future, and we are capable.

Sources:

http://adage.com/article/digital/social-media-generation/144686/

http://www.visualnews.com/2012/03/26/young-adults-the-future-of-social-activism/

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/is-social-activism-the-new-black-180034901.html

http://mashable.com/2011/12/05/alicia-keys-tumblr/

http://mashable.com/2010/11/28/world-aids-day-digital-deaths/