In an age of hyper-awareness, where a movement can be born online instantaneously, it seems that we are in a golden age of social activism. Flaws can be exposed and authority challenged in 280 characters or less. The promise of improvement lies only a few clicks away.  

But perhaps that’s the obstacle.  

With so many different agendas, perhaps our cries are not as clear as they are cacophonous. We encourage each other to share our stories, write letters to our lawmakers and show solidarity by wearing the colors of our cause.  

And most often, we say we’re “raising awareness.”  

Acknowledging a problem is undoubtedly an essential step, but a cause with no teeth garners no change. Social media is one way to open a dialogue, but without real-world pressure – be it boycotts, walkouts, petitions or the thousand other forms of peaceful demonstration – then all we have is another hashtag. 

We can’t afford to be competing for the world’s attention with only a half-developed platform. In a survey by the Pew Research Center, 77 percent of Americans said they believe that social media distracts us from “truly” important issues. We need to be important. 

The right to protest is one that we have a responsibility to exercise, but when we stand up, we owe it to our cause to commit to more than words.  

We owe it to society to ensure that when we pick a fight, we choose the most effective – not the most convenient – way to protest.