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This is a spin off\u00a0post to the one I did on “voluntourism<\/a>” as I continue the process of reflecting on what doing \u00a0“good” in this world means.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Expanding the\u00a0definition<\/strong> Good question, that.<\/p>\n There is no lack of clarity that it is a pejorative term, unlike the more neutral (for the most part) term ‘voluntourism.’ \u00a0My definition of slacktivism\u00a0is a bit broader and includes Internet based action, of course, but also includes behaviors in daily life such as buying a pair of Tom’s shoes and claiming oneself as an activist.<\/p>\n In an interview for a story<\/a> that appeared in the student magazine The Edge<\/em> I referred to some of the Elon students participating in the annual Elonthon fundraiser as ‘slacktivists.’ \u00a0That generalization is clearly not true for everyone involved, and I know that the key organizers do their level best to thoroughly vet the partnering organizations. \u00a0That said, there are many who participate in the event that I had in mind when making the comment. \u00a0In reaction to The Edge<\/em> story one of the past organizers contacted me via email. \u00a0Here is, in part, what she said, “Majority of students who come to Elonthon for the Greek “points” likely get very little out of it, and while I wish I could make all of them serve others from an authentic, compassionate place, that’s sadly the sleepy way they float through life. What our exec board does try to do is put them in a place that will create an inner shift, while also making at least a small impact.” \u00a0No one wants to have a pejorative term applied to them or to any activities or organizations to which they are connected. \u00a0The reality is that in the case of some behaviors\u00a0the label “slacktivist” seems to fit.<\/p>\n Pericleans as “slacktivists?”<\/strong> One of the main goals of our program is to have Periclean Scholars -both individually and as a Class- \u00a0ceaselessly probe deeper and deeper into the nature of aid and development work in general and partnering in particular, constantly learning how to mindfully differentiate between partnering and patronizing, between “good” and “bad” aid. \u00a0In previous posts I have discussed a wide array of ideas and perspectives on this topic, most recently posting on “voluntourism.”<\/p>\n This winter term\u00a0I taught SOC 370\u00a0Being and Becoming a Global Citizen<\/em>. I developed this course four years ago and it has allowed me not only the luxury of reading and then teaching from some very seminal works in this area. Perhaps\u00a0even more importantly I get to read the thoughts of the scores of students whom I have had read and respond to this material. \u00a0The content\u00a0we cover in this class\u00a0is a direct outgrowth of the questions raised by the very existence of the Periclean Scholars program whose overall goal\u00a0is to put into action the part of the Elon University Mission statement which says, \u201cWe integrate learning across the disciplines and put knowledge into practice, thus preparing students to be global citizens\u00a0 The video below was created by Dawson Nicholson and Laura Orr,\u00a0students in SOC 370\u00a0Being and Becoming a Global Citizen<\/em>\u00a0this past January term. \u00a0Both are members of the Periclean Scholars Class of 2016. \u00a0What they produced was in response to the charge to look more critically themselves and at Elon students in general with regard to their activism. \u00a0I think the message of this video is one that should be heard by many. It\u00a0reflects my broader\u00a0definition of “slacktivism.”.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zpwPAGm8eQM<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Final thoughts<\/strong> Finally, those connected with our program need to constantly embrace the responsibility to be a positive influence in this regard to friends, family and others, ever passing on the lessons we have learned as our program has developed and deepened.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n![\"saviors](\"https:\/\/blogs.elon.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/73\/files\/2015\/03\/saviors-and-survivors.jpg\")
<\/a>\u201cIn contrast to those who suggest that we act as soon as the whistle blows, I suggest that, even before the whistle blows we ceaselessly try to know the world in which we live \u2014 and act. Even if we must act on imperfect knowledge, we must never act as if knowing is no longer relevant.\u201d (p. 6) \u00a0<\/em>Mahmood Mamdani in Saviors and Survivors: \u00a0Darfur, Politics and the War on Terror\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>(2009)<\/p>\n
\nThe common use of the term “slacktivism” is of fairly recent origin, and the most common definition is ‘action taken via the Internet in support of some social cause but requiring little effort.’ \u00a0There has been some interesting research<\/a> on the term and broad coverage in the online press<\/a>. \u00a0One of the major questions asked is can slacktivism lead to activism.<\/p>\n
\nYear after year the Periclean Scholars program is fortunate to attract from among the first year class some of the most dedicated and passionate students at Elon. \u00a0The women and men who get inducted into this program typically have long histories of service work through\u00a0their churches, high schools, athletic teams and community civic organizations (Boy and Girl Scouts, for example). \u00a0Many (most?) of these new inductees see the Periclean Scholars program as an extension of work they have been doing in many cases for years.<\/p>\n![\"logowoborder\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elon.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/73\/files\/2013\/05\/logowoborder-150x150.png\")
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\nand informed leaders motivated by concern for the common good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nIt is the responsibility of everyone connected with our program -Pericleans past and present, Mentors, and Director and Associate Director- to continue the “process of reflecting on what doing \u00a0‘good’ in this world means.” Never are good intentions alone sufficient, and quick, un-researched “feel good” actions are the antithesis of what it means to be a Periclean Scholar.<\/p>\n