#StopInfluenceNow: On Hashtag Activism and Our Children’s Future

I want to take a moment and share with you a cause that is close to my heart: Our children’s future.

Today, because of social media, our lives weave in and out of cultures that bombard us – and our children – with pressures to take positions and adopt perspectives on issues ranging from ear-piercing of infants to taxes on yoga.

The resulting cacophony is already producing a number of distressing symptoms among us.

And, we have no way of knowing what the effects on our future – or our children’s future – will be. Recent news regarding Facebook’s study of “emotional contagion” is not only scary, it leaves lots of unanswered questions about where we go from here.

The Unvoiced and The Voiceless

But, perhaps even more disturbing is the fact that social media is commanded day in and day out by a limited number of voices. This obscures other weaker voices. What points of view are being drowned out? What points of view go unvoiced because of limited access to resources, technology, and social media?

Simply put, most do not benefit from the influence that is wielded by the few. This is about the unvoiced. This is about the voiceless.

There are unvoiced perspectives out there that we can all benefit from. Somewhere, the voiceless ponder new ways of seeing issues that impact our daily lives and collective future. Why can’t we and our children benefit from those unvoiced insights? Why can’t we find a way to amplify the whispers of the voiceless?

Hashtag Activism

Hashtag activism has perhaps the greatest potential to raise awareness of this issue.

#Follow. #Join. #Share. Together, we can #StopInfluenceNow.

The #StopInfluenceNow Series

In response to this movement, I’ve created a series of work centered around the structure of memes and exploring themes of contradiction and trend.

Referencing protest posters of the past and using the context of today’s memes, the series forces us to ask serious questions about causes, activism, status, and self-identity.

You Can Play A Part

You can play a part in this important movement. Here are some ways:

• Follow @StopInfluence on Twitter.
• Use #StopInfluenceNow anytime you have the opportunity in social media.
• Organize a #StopInfluenceNow cocktail party and invite friends.
• Host a #StopInfluenceNow event at your home, business, or gallery.
• Organize a #StopInfluenceNow rally in your hometown.
• Purchase #StopInfluenceNow items at the official store.

Get started. Are you on Twitter? You can follow the #StopInfluenceNow movement @StopInfluence.