Small Change: Why The Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted

Social media websites like Tweeter and Facebook are innovative, but can they be used to start a revolution? Some people believe that these and other social media networking sites are reinventing social campaigning. On the other hand, many stay true in the belief that these websites cannot bring about the same significant societal changes that hands-on activism can. In Malcolm Gladwell’s writing “Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted”, he unveils how social media lacks the strong ties, willingness to sacrifice, and hierarchy associated with old-fashioned direct activism. Due to the absence of the distinct characteristic embraced by direct activism, social media will never be effective enough to cause a legitimate social revolution.
The loyalty created from these personal interactions breed strength and determination. The story of the Greensboro Four, introduced by Malcolm Gladwell in his writing Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted, demonstrates the loyal bond of the four inspiring black students who fought for change by preforming a sit-it at a local diner during a time when only white customer were allowed to sit and racial insubordination was answered with brutality. Gladwell explains, “The four students who first sat down at the lunch counter were terrified. ‘I suppose if anyone had come up behind me and yelled ‘Boo,’ I would have fallen off my seat,’ one of them said later”. (404) This exemplifies that despite the overwhelming possibility of violent consequences, the Greensboro Four used their deep-seated connection to the equal rights movement to conjure up enough bravery to proceed with their plans. In the world of social media, the majority of platforms are based loose connections with people who would not normally engage in real life. Lacking these essential relationships cause an underdevelopment of unfaltering determination for genuine transformation. The Greensboro Four may have never taken a seat if it were not for their strong ties to the civil rights movement and each
Hierarchy’s provide structure, rules, and a single central authority. This central authority is exceedingly important because it allows difficult decisions and essential strategies to be made. These actions would not be tangible in the world of social media where everyone gets an equal say. Even before the Greensboro Four had set out on their mission, they had been briefed and trained by the N.A.A.C.P Youth council, a sub-division of the centralized civil rights organization N.A.A.C.P. Without a hierarchy to form a clear code on instruction and planning, the overall affect a movement is desperately trying to achieve will be jeopardized. Malcolm Gladwell asserts, “Boycotts and sit-ins and nonviolent confrontation - which were the weapons of choice for the civil-rights movement – are high-risk strategies. They leave little room for conflict and error. The moment even one protestor deviates from the script and responds to provocation, the moral legitimacy of the entire protest is compromised.” (412) In making this comment, Gladwell urges the necessity of a hierarchy in order to achieve the organization and obedience shown by all the non-violent protesters. Their training and dedication were paramount in the overall success of the civil-rights movement.
In Malcolm Gladwell’s writing, “Small Changes: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted,