When Covid-19 hit and governmental restrictions made it increasingly difficult to stand up for resistance, at first Tom was afraid it would stop him from being activist. Until yesterday, because yesterday Tom commented on Facebook.
“It was a post on the US elections” Tom says. “I read the comments of people that said that Trump was stupid and Biden was old.”
“Normally I would scroll down on a post like, but suddenly it hit me: I am a human. I too have a voice and I want that voice to be heard. So I hit the comment-button.”
“There’s something empowering about commenting on Facebook” Tom continues. “You feel that you are contributing to the greater good. And with a well placed remark about how someone’s point is similar to that of Hitler’s you can really change the world.”
Do you really want to learn about online activism? On the 9th and 16th of November, OtherWise, Build Your Movement, the Sociology of Development and Change group at the WUR and the Centre for Space, Place and Society, are organising an online and free event to explore how lock-down restrictions are changing activism and resistance.
From 19.00 till 22.00 there will be a meeting online to come together with students, activists and academics. You can find more information and the registration link on the website of OtherWise and on Facebook.