The Use of Social Media in Activism Movement according to Gladwell's Argument

The use of social media in activism movement
Name
Institution
Date
Civil liberties
1 Briefly, summarize Gladwell's argument. Why is he skeptical about the use of social media?
In the Small Change, Why Revolution will not be tweeted, Malcolm Gladwell expounds on the degree of effectiveness of social media in the fight for social injustices. The rights and freedom movements in the southern U.S. in the early 1960s did not require anything like Facebook, Twitter or emails. The story of four Negro students who were denied service at the restaurant described how revolution and the desire for social justice could be achieved without social media. Gladwell discussed the strength of protests, sit-in, and boycotts because of the strong ties between the students. Revolution movement is always effective and successful when there is friendship and common goal. The participant for the change movement is motivated and committed to the movement if they have a common noble goal to achieve. In other words, high-risk activism movements require more than friendship but the spiritual will to bind the participant (Comunello, & Anzera, 2012).
On the matter of social media today, Gladwell reaffirms that where their causes once defined activists, they are defined by the tools. The author acknowledges the value of social media in spreading the information. However, he points out that social media focuses on the coverage of information, but it does not give the motivation and the hardcore commitment required in the social activism movements. Facebook and Twitter are good in increasing the size of participation in protests, sit-in, and boycotts. The media also helps to lessen the level of motivation and commitments required to participate in the movement. Finally, Gladwell made a reservation that weak-tie networks do not have the blessings, strategy, and authority of the actual social activist's group.
Gladwell was skeptical about the use of social media to gain freedom and civil liberties because of the nature of commitment involved in the course. Successful revolution always starts by real people in the real world. People who are not scared of any possible consequences like the four Negros students who refused to walk out the restaurant despite the unspecified outcome. However, the social media fans are after causing problems online behind the safety of their computer desk. The one-on-one connection builds strong solidarity in the movement. The legitimacy of the information spread through the social media forms greatest challenge for Gladwell to accept the use of social media in advocating for social justice. There are ill-intended materials that may form a propaganda against the revolution. The revolutionary movements are a serious and daring course which cannot bear fruits without close engagements among the participants (Gladwell, 2010). Twitter and Facebook are mere sites for soliciting reactions. Hardly can fans of social media establish solid groups to champion change. People united with common goals and situations are more than ready to live by any consequences. The four students of Negro successful contributed to the fight for civil liberties through face-to-face interaction.
In conclusion, the interaction through internet...