I am concerned by a recent internet campaign opposing the state of Tennessee from banning the use of the word "gay" in classrooms. Not because I support the bill, its clearly the stupidest and unethical thing I have heard of in recent times. As a response George Takei has suggested that his name be used instead, allowing students and teachers to get around the bill (if it comes in force) while reminding every one how stupid this censorship is.
The site at itsokaytobetakei.com is now dead. The whole thing makes me wonder what was to be achieved. When the site was up it was very light on information:
A bill now pending in Tennessee would prohibit teachers in that state from discussing homosexuality in the classroom. The so-called “don’t say gay” law is premised on the misguided belief that, by not talking about gay people, they can simply make us disappear.
George is here to tell Tennessee, and all the LGBT youth and teachers who would be affected by this law, that he is here for you. In fact, he is lending his name to the cause. Any time you need to say the word “gay,” you can simply say “Takei.”
Have a TAKEI old time!
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The rest of it was an outlet shop to sell t-shirts and badges. I have had a cursory check about the intertubes and I don't know if this campaign has had any effect in overturning the law or what. I do know it has got a few people on the Facebook to add the logo to their profile pictures. Granted that is a sweet logo but it's not really doing much. I remember the alleged NSPCC campaign on Facebook where users were encouraged to change their profile pics to cartoon characters, for every one changed someone would donate money to the NSPCC. I was stunned by the number of people taken in by this.
So is this the same thing? Another campaign where people can feel good by kidding themselves that something good will happen if they do something impossible to measure or verify? I'm going to have to say yes, slacktivism does it again. But let this be a lesson to all, next time you see one of these pointless activities, go out and donate £5 to the cause. Be brave enough to find out if it is a hoax or not, then see what you can do to help out. Go ahead, you can change the world, you just have to make the effort where others will not.
My main beef I suppose is that there are so many other causes that need dealing with. Just look at Uganda introducing the death penalty for gays. Surely the Takei campaign should be expanded to fight for gay rights on a wider international scale rather than making a vague effort at home then giving up when the media losing interest.
I'm not attacking Takei here, I just think he hasn't really considered all the angles here.
So is this the same thing? Another campaign where people can feel good by kidding themselves that something good will happen if they do something impossible to measure or verify? I'm going to have to say yes, slacktivism does it again. But let this be a lesson to all, next time you see one of these pointless activities, go out and donate £5 to the cause. Be brave enough to find out if it is a hoax or not, then see what you can do to help out. Go ahead, you can change the world, you just have to make the effort where others will not.
My main beef I suppose is that there are so many other causes that need dealing with. Just look at Uganda introducing the death penalty for gays. Surely the Takei campaign should be expanded to fight for gay rights on a wider international scale rather than making a vague effort at home then giving up when the media losing interest.
I'm not attacking Takei here, I just think he hasn't really considered all the angles here.
