WEEK 5: STEWART-SMITH-DENTON

". . .interrelated functions: transforming perceptions of reality, altering self-perceptions of protestors, legitimizing the social movement, prescribing courses of action, mobilizing for action, and sustaining the social movement" (p.51). I appreciate that this quote brings out the important work of activism. It shows the commitment and meaning people bring to activism through simple, well-organized language that is specific.

After reading our first assignment, I can't help but think about the activism I encountered outside the union last week surrounding issues that all deal with perception. First there was an email I received from the chancellor discussing policy about on-campus protests and a couple of days later was the onslaught of the pro-lifers (it is hard not to reflect on the sense of blind protesting that was prevalent among them). There was a group of fundamentalist Christians I walked by who were handing out pamphlets about Jesus. A young girl among them flat out ignored a discussion about spirituality with me because she was distracted by specific concepts. I also ran into folks passing out free tickets to see first lady Michelle Obama, which they did with a quiet self-aware demeanor. They were informative but didn't offer anything I did not specifically ask for. There should be an element of thoughtful rigor in the activist directly related to obtaining a way to act in a response to an internal compass. Meaning and action must be aligned. 

Digital activism is a way to enact change without going through so much ground work, or rather change through a faster kind of ground work. The online communities are already there, generally speaking. The internet gives us the option to act from where we are without a huge amount of constraint because of its speed. "Social movement persuaders portray a vision of the future that instills a sense of urgency in audiences to organize and do something now" (p.56).  Apply thoughtful rigor to the environment of digital activism and soon a valuable resource will pop up (not to mention the accessibility of diversity).

One issue that stuck with me after last week's discussion is a possibility of pitfalls inherent in rhetoric that appeals to pathos. Pathos has the ability to invoke a blind spot within the viewer. However, sometimes pathos is just pathos. I considered this as the authors began discussing self-perception, identification with the causes/groups we fight for engages our emotions. An important reality is addressed regarding the need for a strong, healthy ego in the protestor. We are grounded in our reality and it provides the basis from which we act. Beginning independent research for digital activism I allow myself to be guided, initially, by an intuitive feeling. We must know our pathos, it performs a great service in activist work. The great thing about analytics is that it engages the mind and allows for discernment. What website works/doesn't work and why exactly? How does self-perception affect general perception and when is alteration needed?