As social media explodes with outcries of injustice, many people question the motivations behind these posts. Are they simply a way to signal to your community that you are virtuous or are these earnest moral pleas? Is it even necessary to take such public stands rather than quietly working behind the scenes? Do mixed motivations matter in our attempt to seek justice?
Many people have been rightfully outraged at the latest string of attacks on Black lives. Advocates are currently flooding social media with hashtags, articles, and other forms of support. But critics are quick to say that these posts are convenient forms of virtue signaling. Many social media posts advocating support are quickly dismissed in comment sections with the accusation that they are “jumping on the social justice bandwagon.” They argue that many are pressured into saying something even though they would rather say nothing at all.
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