Do this when you’re done reposting the infographic about injustice

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Infographics appear every time a major social justice issue becomes news. You’ll see a bright, flashy and eye-catching text box shared by many of your friends’ Instagram stories. Your friends are interested in the topic and clarify where they are standing, but is it really useful? TThe emphasis here is on activism rather than posting well-designed graphics. This is the next step you should take.

No problem sharing infographics

First of all, tThere’s nothing wrong with sharing stats and subpoenas on your story or Twitter timeline, but ideally you want to do more than just tell. other The people they should take action on. Ariel GeismerAs an organizer and advocate of mental health, her passion is to identify online people who are interested in the topic (usually by looking at the post) and “turn it into face-to-face action.” bottom.

“as a whole, Reposting infographics and infographic culture is generally well-meaning and heartfelt, “she said, but sharing posts can move away from raising awareness to a bit of performance. I added that I can do it. “When we do our best to look at each other, I think the roots of infographic culture are those who are trying to truly spread the word about what they care about.” Hopefully this is social. She said it would serve as a signal to media followers that the poster could talk about the problem offline or within them. DM.

K. Agbebiyi, a macro-social worker involved in reproductive policy and the organizer of the prison abolition movement, goes from raising awareness to feeling helpless and helping in situations where people are connected. He added that he would repost these infographics for a variety of reasons. Or “to let people know that they are following what is happening now.”

Infographics can be excellent, they said. “People can quickly learn about complex issues and connect with the people at work in the most accessible way.”

The next step in activism

The public uproar over systematic racism and police atrocities in the summer of 2020 was noteworthy as the pandemic made it more difficult for people to take action in the physical realm. Reductions and unemployment have affected the ability of people to donate to relevant organizations.Infographic for that summer wherever It was ok At that time, it’s important to remember that you have to do more than post if you get the chance.

Whether you’re protesting on the streets or being able to join a volunteer group, you can. Please donate to the cause you care about. Put your money where your mouth and your Twitter finger are.

“Make sure you read a lot about the problem from multiple different sources.” Geismer said.. “If you find an infographic that really connects, read it and then look at the sources they are quoting. Look at the other infographics. Maybe you’re moving to digital media search and various You will look into the sources and start collecting some information. “

It’s not just about listening to experts and finding reliable sources. Click here for details) You also need to start talking to people. Geismer said she needs to raise issues in her community, but she also needs to translate what she has learned into a language that the community can understand. Repeating some of the phrases she learned in infographics can’t reduce it. You must study in good faith and convey what you find.

Then visit your organization’s social media page or check out your organization’s website, which focuses on the issue you’re passionate about. Find the Volunteers tab or notifications about upcoming events. Infographics are useful for: If you find someone in the community (school, work, group of friends, community, etc.) reposting an image about a particular issue, invite them to attend the event. volunteer.

“Look at who is posting the infographics and see if they are affiliated with an organization in the area,” Agbebiyi added. You can get started too Own Group with others who have shown an interest in this issue online. “Spend a small group reading and investigating your problems, connecting with other organizers, planning the structure, and then getting to work in the long run.“

Check in yourself to make sure you’re heading in the right direction

If you still decide to repost the infographic, you need to be smart about it as well. Facts-Check everything you read before breaking that share button. Providing inaccurate information does not help anyone.

“People don’t check sources or disseminate false information,” Agbebiyi said. Note.. “They may share, but they don’t really follow up or help the problems they share in a meaningful way. It’s the fact that they revert the oppressive system. You can prioritize compassionate performance over your work. “

As mentioned earlier, one of the main problems with infographic culture is that performance can be a bit slower. For example, if you’re talking about LGBTQ rights in a hostile community, it’s very powerful to show that you’re an ally or activist and others can participate, even if it looks scary. Otherwise, MeYou can easily get the praise you get by reposting some infographics here and there, or by creating your own public image that suggests that you are compassionate and informed. In fact, it’s so easy that you may not notice that your values ​​are shifting from genuine aid to a little self-promotion.

“Starting with a foundation of empathy for this issue will always be the first step for me.” Geismer said.. “The next thing is to make sure you’re not only posting the problem and forgetting it, but taking action.”

She said it important Follow up on what you do after reposting. Whether it means donating or initiating a more personal dialogue with people.

Use social media in other ways

Social media can Not only is it executive and hollow, it is also the perfect place for people to learn and grow. Instead of reposting the infographic, you can create your own content (as long as you remember the above guidelines to avoid being too focused on yourself).

“Social media platforms really prioritize content that they think works really well,” Geismer said. “Sometimes it’s aesthetic content. It can be nice looking, person-friendly, face-to-face, or nice photo content taken with a good camera. Unfortunately, this may take precedence over, for example, text-heavy content in Notes apps. “

She pointed out that some content creators are starting to send messages of social justice to other posts, such as makeup tutorials. They talk about key issues, show you how to get the perfect eyeliner wing, and appeal not only to algorithms (and consumer-based) that prioritize direct tutorials to the camera, but also to educate your audience. If you’re in an online community that loves NFTs, video games, fashion, sports, and more, consider content that may be relevant to the group’s core interests. When Causes of concern — Then, instead of reposting another infographic that everyone ignores, post it organically. The community is powerful, both online and offline. The dialogue you spark can be meaningful.