Mg media

Today, gazing at 1 World Trade Center from an airplane, memories flood back to me. Twenty-three years ago, on September 11, 2001, the collapse of the towers gripped my heart as I feared for my father’s life. His office lay just two blocks from ground zero. Miraculously, he escaped, fleeing the chaos of lower Manhattan ablaze aboard a boat.

In the aftermath of 9/11, the absence of social media allowed for a collective coming together, fostering a sense of unity and solidarity in the face of tragedy. However, I wonder how the landscape might have differed had social media platforms have been prevalent at the time. Given the divisiveness and polarization we witness on these platforms today, it’s plausible to imagine that the discourse post-9/11 could have been marred by chaos and hostility.

A minute later, the plane flew above Central Park. Beneath us, to the north of the park, lay Columbia University—the epicenter of protests at US college campuses. 

It’s been over 200 days since Hamas brutally attacked Israel – 1,200 people were murdered, and more than 240 were taken hostage, and it has been over 200 days of devastation, famine, and death in Gaza – with more than 30,000 people killed and over one million displaced. And for 200 days, protests have been unfolding live on social media platforms. Describing the beliefs, aspirations, and demands of each side is too complex a task.

Reflecting on the potential impact of social media in social justice and global/political movements, particularly with examples like the Arab Spring, prompts a nuanced consideration. The Arab Spring was a pivotal moment where social media played a significant role in mobilizing the masses and amplifying voices for change. Yet, the outcomes of these movements have been mixed, with enduring challenges and persisting grievances in regions like Egypt and Syria. Despite the initial promise of social media as a tool for justice and reform, the realities on the ground often prove more complex. The notion that social media alone can “right the wrongs” and topple oppressive regimes feels increasingly idealistic. 

What else is naïve and idealistic?  

My aspiration for a unified message promoting a ceasefire, lasting peace, equal rights to self-determination and nationhood for both Israel and Palestine, substantial, long-term humanitarian aid for Gaza, and the unconditional release of hostages. Somewhere on social media, individuals from both sides are hating me.