Showing posts with label digital activism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label digital activism. Show all posts

Friday, May 20, 2011

Grassroots Activism And Digital Activism - Complementary To Each Other

Grassroots activists often look down upon and mock at digital activists.

I appreciate and respect the “hands on” approach of grassroots activists. Given the fact that it is they who actually run a movement on the ground, there is no doubt that they form the most vital part of a movement’s lifeline.

However, while taking justified pride in their role, they should also appreciate the significant role played by digital activists in bringing an issue to the world’s notice, thereby generating public support and sympathy in many parts of the world.

The fact is that grassroots activism and digital activism are complementary to each other. And it is only through a combined presence of the two that a movement can become most likely to be successful.

Digital activism can draw public sympathy and support for a cause, but that sympathy and support will wither away if there are no grassroots activists to tap that support and utilize it in furthering the movement on the ground.

On the other hand, if there is only grassroots activism and no digital activism, then those grassroots activists will have to fight for their cause without the world sympathizing with them and their cause. And in that case they will be deprived of a strong moral support that often plays a key role in a movement.