We’ve all seen them or been them: the social media warriors, the placard-waving activists, the overnight champions of a cause. They flood our feeds, their voices booming with righteous indignation, their profiles adorned with the latest trending hashtag. But beneath the fanfare, a disturbing truth lurks — their loyalty is as flimsy as a cheap umbrella, discarded the moment the rain stops.
Every February, everyone is an anti-racism campaigner. Of course, it is Black History Month in the USA and Canada. Today, we witness a surge of individuals championing various causes, not out of genuine conviction, but for the clout it brings. Social media has become a battlefield where “wokeness” is often a performance, a carefully curated image built on trending hashtags and performative pronouncements. These “fair-weather allies” of social justice flock to movements, not for the long haul, but for the fleeting validation and digital currency of likes and shares.
Imagine the downpour of public support, our cause du jour that ignites the internet: Black History Month. Suddenly, everyone’s an expert, their profiles morphing into battlegrounds of virtue signaling. They share, they comment, they retweet; their actions driven not by genuine conviction but by the intoxicating allure of online validation.
But just like a flimsy umbrella tears under the weight of a heavy storm, their commitment crumbles when the downpour subsides. The initial fervor fades, replaced by the pursuit of the next trending topic, the next opportunity to garner attention. Anti-racism, once championed with such performative zeal, is forgotten, its true advocates left to weather the storm alone.
This brand of shallow loyalty is not just disingenuous, it’s harmful. It dilutes genuine support, drowns out authentic voices, and reduces important issues to mere trends. It’s the equivalent of using someone’s struggles as a stepping stone to self-promotion, a betrayal disguised as activism. Real progress demands dedication, not fleeting trends. It necessitates understanding the nuances of racism, engaging in uncomfortable conversations, and standing up even when the cameras aren’t rolling.
Think of the individual who suddenly champions anti-racism after attending a celebrity-studded gala promoting Black History Month. They passionately defend the suppressed rights of black people, only to remain silent when faced with everyday instances of their personal racism and discrimination. Their loyalty is discarded the moment the photo op fades or the online engagement plummets. For this “woke” loyal, they must prepare for next month: Women’s History Month.
So, how do we identify these fleeting loyalists? Look for the inconsistency. Do their actions align with their online persona? Do they engage in meaningful discussions, or simply parrot popular opinion? Do they offer concrete support, or just bask in the glow of online validation? Listen to those who champion the cause, not just online, but in their everyday interactions. Support those who educate themselves, engage in constructive dialogue, and advocate for change even when it’s personally inconvenient.
Remember, true loyalty isn’t easily discarded. It stands firm even when the cameras turn away, fueled by genuine conviction, not the fickle winds of online approval. It’s the kind of loyalty that builds movements, not just social media profiles. It is Martin Luther King initiating reforms. It is Tupac rapping about change. It is BLM scoring victories for black people, and by extension, minorities suffering from state and general racism, in the USA. We must pave the way for a future where meaningful change thrives not on the whims of trends, but on the bedrock of genuine empathy and unwavering commitment.
Instead of retweets of speeches from people we can’t name, let’s learn about them. There is nothing wrong with celebrating Black History Month if we, at least, learn about the purpose of this designation! Uneducated and ceremonial advocacy is finally erecting the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, decades too late, only to misattribute a quote on the statue. This monument, of such global significance, should have been sculpted with more conviction than misinformation retweets, the misfortune of our diminishing compassion. We simply don’t care.
The next time you become a champion of the moment, ask yourself: are you truly loyal to the cause or are you just dancing for the coins with a flimsy umbrella? Let’s hold ourselves and others accountable for genuine engagement, for actions that speak louder than hashtags, and for loyalty that’s driven by moral duty through empathy and conviction, not the flimsy fabric of clout-chasing. Instead of getting discouraged, let’s use these flimsy umbrellas as a reminder of what true advocacy and activism looks like.
