Performative Activism

Over the last 8 months, we have seen horrific imagery coming out of Gaza, Palestine. We heard the agonizing screeches of terror from 6-year-old Hind Rajab, who begged for her life for three hours, only to be silenced by a gun mere moments later, along with her aunt, her uncle, and her four cousins (Brown and Harb, 2024). How is getting shot a triumph? How is that the end of her misery? And then on May 26th, 2024, we saw one-year-old Ahmad Al-Najjar beheaded by Israel using a US-funded bomb (Assi, 2024).

The AI image used to share solidarity with what happened in Rafah after the Tent Massacre.

I vividly remember an uproar about apparent beheaded Israeli babies in October of 2023. Where was this outrage when we saw photos of the headless Ahmad? A real baby with a real name, a real family, a real life. And yet still, with all the statistics, videos, and photographs, on the 28th of May 2024, over 50 million users shared an AI-generated image calling for "ALL EYES ON RAFAH," overshadowing the brutality committed against Palestinian men, women, and children. In this article, I will be unpacking the serious consequences of performative activism in relation to what has been happening in Palestine since 1948 and why it is vital to move beyond online symbolism to generate real impact.

Performative activism, especially with the rise of social media, has become a prevalent mode of expressing solidarity with various causes. However, the question arises: what happens when the activism stops at sharing a post or changing a profile picture? While sharing posts and changing profile pictures can be valuable in raising awareness, it's important to recognize that it takes more severe actions to cause change. I understand that oftentimes this is the only way people can participate in social movements; however, it is essential to move beyond these superficial gestures and take concrete actions that address the root causes of the issues at hand. The term "performative activism" refers to actions taken to increase social capital rather than enact real change (Thimsen, 2022, p. 85). So while these gestures appear to be an act of solidarity, they are primarily focused on increasing one’s social position or reputation. It is a critical term used to analyze the effectiveness and sincerity of certain methods of activism. In the context of Palestine, the consequences of performative activism are particularly pronounced. While millions shared the AI-generated image calling for attention to Rafah, the core issues facing Palestinians continue to be overlooked. It's imperative to examine how performative gestures on social media platforms often fail to translate into tangible support for those in need. Thimsen (2022) suggests that digital technologies, such as social media, are often the root of where performative activism occurs. The overexposure of social media platforms makes it quicker and easier for people to share statements of support publicly. While this is effective at raising awareness, it begs the question: what are we raising awareness for?

Similarly, in 2020, during the height of the Black Lives Matter social movement, #BlackoutTuesday was introduced, where predominantly non-Black users posted a black square to show solidarity using #BLM/#BlackLivesMatter. Although well-intentioned, this action was criticized for its lack of direction and for cluttering the hashtag with empty gestures of solidarity. This made it difficult for users to find relevant information regarding protesting, boycotting, and other forms of action (Ho, 2020). Dedicated activists refer to these patterns of behavior as ‘slacktivism,’ a combination of slacker and activism (Glenn, 2015, p. 82), in which participants use minimal effort to appear supportive of a cause to feel good about themselves (Morozov, 2009). By simply sharing posts or changing profile pictures, individuals can feel they are contributing to social justice without engaging in meaningful actions that lead to real change.

Calling for "All Eyes on Rafah" using an AI-generated image that provides no information about what happened in Rafah echoes these criticisms. By reposting hollow posts, it trivializes and reduces the severity of complex humanitarian issues, transforming them into fleeting trends instead of addressing them with the depth and seriousness they require (Thimsen, 2022, p. 85). The specific image was chosen because it passed online censorship algorithms, being artificially generated and not depicting the bloodshed and massacre happening on Palestinian land (Al Jazeera, 2024). However, this is particularly troubling because genocide should not be censored, especially considering the endless amount of raw, vulnerable footage being released from Palestine about the injustice they're experiencing. In response to this, social media users shared a real image of civilians surrounding over 30 dead bodies with "ALL EYES ON RAFAAM" written above it, highlighting the harsh reality of the situation. Reducing their suffering to a fake image when there are real ones diverts the narrative away from what truly matters and diminishes the validity of their plight, which is exactly what the Zionists aim for. Overall, while it is commendable that this image brought the attention of millions to what is happening in Gaza and initiated many much-needed conversations, our activism shouldn't start and end with an artificially generated image; it should encourage people to educate themselves and research the atrocities occurring in Palestine. It serves as a way of keeping the Palestinian voice alive, but that's not where our actions should end. If one wants to support the Palestinian cause online, they can repost infographics, amplify Palestinian voices, share educational resources, and participate in digital campaigns. Additionally, they are encouraged to donate to GoFundMe campaigns helping families flee the Gaza Strip or feed them, attend marches and protests, or boycott companies that fund the Israeli Occupying Forces (IOF).