UPDATE: Thanks to all who joined! We raised a total of $162, which, through RAINN’s sponsors, was doubled, bringing the grand total to $324 of actual help to abuse victims!
I’ve never been so ashamed of my generation.
I mean, sure, we’ve all done some stupid stuff, but this takes the poop-flavored “cake” when it comes to dumb, inconsiderate, worthless efforts.
Of course, I’m referring to the Facebook campaign where you change your profile picture to a cartoon character to support the fight against child abuse. Could someone please explain to me how the flipping heck this is supposed to help anybody? Spending 30 seconds to Google a picture, then make it your profile picture, doesn’t help anybody. Those who have engaged in this practice are not volunteering their time, their money, or even their energy in the slightest to do anything of value to really help anyone. It’s like if you say “I think the March of Dimes is doing a good job” without even donating a dime to them. It’s the most passive form of contribution imaginable.
And yet some people still think it will help.
This is one of the most selfish, despicable things I’ve ever seen; mitigating a serious issue by claiming to help without doing anything. It makes me wonder why so many people who I’d thought had two brain cells to rub together would engage in such a practice. And the excuse of “Well, I like [character x]” doesn’t cut it. Those who say that are jumping on a bandwagon of inaction that proves that what older generations say about us Gen-Y/Millennials is completely true.
So here’s your chance to make an actual difference.
I haven’t used the NMH Facebook page in a while, but for every fan on the page on Monday* whose profile picture is of themselves (not a cartoon character), I will donate $1 to RAINN, a charity that helps victims of abuse.** Later on Monday, you’ll get proof that there will be an actual donation, too.
This isn’t some marketing ploy, or a way to push blog traffic. I’d just like for there to be some solidarity when it comes to realizing that this idea of passive assistance isn’t going to cut it. Since this whole campaign is taking place on Facebook, that’s really the only way we can see or counter the whole thing. And if you want to go out and do something yourself, there are tons of great organizations that you can help yourself.
But for the love of all that’s holy, don’t try to pass off your laziness as charity. It’s disrespectful, disgusting, and does a lot more harm than good.
* This is the day that everyone’s supposed to have a cartoon character profile picture. I’ll be looking in throughout the day to make sure that there’s an accurate count.
** It will be $1 per person for the first 200 fans. From 200 to 500 fans, it will be 50 cents per person. From 500 to 1,000 fans, it will be 25 cents per person. From 1,000 to 5,000 fans, it will be 10 cents per person. From 5,000 to 10,000 fans, it will be 5 cents per person. The cut-off is 10,000 fans for donations on my part, with the maximum amount being $1,125.00. Just covering my bases here, folks.
Andrew: I hadn’t heard of this before (then again, I rarely pay too much attention to FB) but I can completely see where your anger and frustration is stemming from. While I think that people may have the right intention, that is, building awareness for causes that not only affect its victims but, truly, every single one of us, I do also think that they’re missing out on an opportunity here.
Building awareness is so very important and I’m a huge advocate of education — without education and awareness, you have ignorance. And with ignorance, you have nothing. However, while awareness is a huge first step, it should always lead the way to action, and that’s where I agree with you that this social media campaign (I hate to even call it that) is completely missing the boat.
Congrats to you for not only building awareness, but taking action. I hope that others follow your example.
(And for the record, if I did change my FB picture to something cartoonish, it would totally be Elmyra. Puppies and kittens and hugs = score) =P
Do you feel the same about cancer ribbons?
Thanks for the comments!
Susan – Your second paragraph beautifully sums up the message that I was hoping to get across. It’s one thing to say that you do/don’t support something, but if you don’t back it up, then nothing good can come of it.
Elisa – I’m fine with cancer ribbons, Livestrong bracelets, supermarket paper thingies that are strung up by the register and so on, as long as they’re given as part of a donation or used in conjunction with a charity event. If you have a pink ribbon because you’re doing Race for the Cure, that’s fine. But if you bought pink ribbon to use it to say you support the fight against breast cancer without any actual involvement, not so much.
I agree, I’m fine with the cancer ribbons because when you purchase one, you’re donating to a charity. And while the contribution might be minimal, there is still a contribution as well as awareness. I think the real issue might be the intent of those who participate in the campaigns — do you do it because it’s a fad or because of what’s behind it. I think a lot of people forget what’s behind it.
So…were you planning on donating to RAINN tomorrow anyways?
Wasn’t planning on it until a conversation last night, where a friend and I were discussing how one could make a meaningful contribution. Since this isn’t an individual issue as much as a generational/community one, I decided that it would make more sense to find other people who wanted to help in some way and give them an alternative to a frivolous photo change without upping the involvement quotient.
That being said, I heard about RAINN a while ago and was thinking of contributing in some way over the next few months. This helped to expedite that process.
I agree that it is important to up the investment and do more than just a photo. Yet you have some pretty harsh words for people who are doing the photo and campaign.
The campaign is created (hypothetically) to raise awareness. To get people talking about it. To get people doing things about it.
Seems to me it did just that.
(For the record I have no intention nor desire to change my avatar for child abuse and for all cancer social media campaigns I participate then link to my Relay for Life fundraising page. I’m all about taking activism to the next level. I am not, however, about telling people that the efforts that they are making aren’t good enough.)
(Also for the record, I am VERY proud of and impressed by your campaign for RAINN…it’s so important and a great cause. And the fact that you are taking it a step further is a testament to what a great person you are!)
“…But for the love of all that’s holy, don’t try to pass off your laziness as charity…”
Andrew, I completely agree in principle, and I understand your frustration. I also love your RAINN contribution idea.
At the same time, I doubt that most people (at least not the ones I know) were actually trying to pass off the cartoon doppelganger thing as “charity” or “activism.” It was a cute meme and then someone tacked the “child abuse” thing onto it later. My wager is that most people participate in FB memes because they are usually fun, harmless, social, expressive; I also think that a lot of people (like myself) want to keep their charitable work, social activism, and contributions private, not status update fodder.