One month into 2017 and we have already seen so much happen in the global social world. In just one month we have been apart of, heard of, supported or rejected laws, actions and human rights. Is 2017 the year of the protest? What is the purpose of marches, rallies, and protests? We want to know how do we try and create change in the world?
Women’s March
On January 21st an event occurred around the world that demonstrated the impacts of globalisation. Technology has facilitated a virtual and social shrinking of the world while also expanding it. On this day, over 600 US cities, and many other cities in Europe, Canada, Mexico, South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia participated in a Women’s march. With an estimated 4.2 million participants in the US alone, Political scientists say that this event might have been the largest demonstration in US history.
The women’s march was not just an anti-trump protest. The demonstration sought to send the message to the Trump legislation about protecting ALL human rights (LGBTQ, Women, Immigration, Environment, Race, Religion, Worker’s rights).
We all know that the Women’s March had a record breaking turnout. This is probably because the march attempted to create a unified community with intersectional identities, sexuality, race, religion, and abilities. 4.8 million people joined across the globe to form a large community and stand together. These 4.8 million people through the marching and talking about human rights have attempted to create change in the world and create a movement for progressive social and political change. People are continuing to join and fight the wrongs of the world and hence, creating a global community that attempts to modify the world.
Immigration Ban
Human rights protests come in many forms. After US President Donald Trump’s immigration ban – corporate companies in Silicon Valley staged protests in response. Airport Immigrate offices see protests across the country, taxi drivers strike and Uber jacks its prices up. Again this time around people protested across major US airports. The taxi drivers chose to strike and stand in solidarity with the thousands of people that were protesting the inhumane & unconstitutional Muslim Ban. Signs at the protest followed one common theme: we will not be divided. Thousands across the US joined together in the protests to demonstrate community and the protection of human rights.
With the taxi strike, Uber and Lyft two other competing driving services had different responses. Uber jacked up its prices, and in response, people are deleting the app in a demonstration of anger. And Lyft released a statement that announced they would donate $1million to the American Civil Liberties Union (ALCU) over the next four years to help communities defend the individual rights from government abuse.
Bell Let’s Talk
Other protests like the protesting of the Dakota Access Pipeline are taking place in America right now. But, we’d like to look at a campaign in Canada that is facilitating positive change and building a community. On January 25th every year, one of Canada’s top mobile companies celebrates a campaign called “Bell Let’s Talk”. The campaign began seven years ago and is designed to break the stigma and silence around mental illness. For every text, call, tweet, Instagram post, Facebook video view and Snapchat geo filter used on the 25th, Bell will donate 5¢ more to mental health initiatives across Canada. In 7 years, Bell has donated $80,000,000 to mental health programs and will continue to donate for years to come. Bell Let’s Talk attempts to build a community in which talking about Mental Illness is encouraged and hopes to form bonds and a base of support for people struggling with mental illness or who know someone that is.
In 7 years, Bell has donated $80,000,000 to mental health programs and will continue to donate for years to come. Bell Let’s Talk attempts to build a community in which talking about Mental Illness is encouraged and hopes to form bonds and a base of support for people struggling with mental illness or who know someone that is.
Creating Change
From the few examples we have given here: we can see that people attempt to create change in the world through joining, talking about social, political and economic issues, and not discriminating any particular groups. These few examples show us that we have much more power in numbers and that change and community building is possible. Globalisation has some benefits if it means coming together to fight for human rights. How do we try and create change in the world? Through communication and forming unbreakable bonds that cannot be divided.
