OPINION - Last week Wednesday, I received an email encouraging me to sign a petition for Starlink, a satellite-based internet service, promising broadband internet in remote and rural locations across the world.
Starlink was founded by Elon Musk, determined to let it become operational in South Africa.
Social media has given us live updates of devastating catastrophes happening around the world simultaneously, and despite many staying informed and taking action, everything seems to be getting worse.
The Starlink email made me feel frustrated and anxious. I'm not a fan of billionaires, especially not Elon Musk.
He is a man who has proven time and time again to be a bigot: instances of white supremacy, transphobia against his own child, AI-driven hateful rhetoric on X (formerly known as Twitter), and many other examples.
Social media doom-scrolling
My TikTok and X algorithms look like this: something funny, scroll; commentary on the discourse of the week, scroll; a Palestinian family begging viewers to watch their video, leave a comment and share, scroll; "OMG, have you watched Love Island?", scroll; "AI is accelerating the climate crisis", scroll; people dancing to Beyoncé's music, scroll; "here's how you can help the Congo", scroll; "another young girl in South Africa is a victim of gender-based violence", scroll; "please don't skip my video, help us," scroll; "don't walk, RUN to buy this skincare/makeup/clothing item," scroll; "Palestinians killed while getting aid", scroll.
Things are incredibly bleak right now: from the ongoing Palestinian genocide, to the climate crisis, AI and everything in between. It's difficult to ignore. But although it's definitely impacting my mental health, I wouldn't want to be oblivious either.
Atrocities
It's a privilege to simply scroll past these atrocities that others can't escape.
Some have asked me, "Why do you care? It doesn't affect you," but one day, it could.
I hope that if South Africa found itself in a similar situation as the Palestinians, Congolese, Sudanese and millions of others, the world would pay attention. Maybe that hope is futile; many are ignoring those countries while they're actively enduring bombs and starvation, mocking activists' attempts at enacting change. "There's nothing to do," they say.
But there is. Many have been boycotting companies that fund and support the Israeli Occupation Forces since 2023.
South Africa went through an apartheid of its own. International boycotts were instrumental in its end, not because the racist government suddenly changed its views, but because apartheid became difficult to maintain economically.
Small action is better than no action
If I can help it, I no longer eat McDonald's, refuse to drink Starbucks coffee, stopped listening to music by Zionist musicians and stopped streaming movies and TV shows with Zionist actors (I'm looking at you, Stranger Things).
I educated myself on the facts and started sharing updates on my social media platforms to raise awareness, despite my small account.
I always think of Kendrick Lamar's lyric, from his song, HiiiPoWeR, "Stand for something or die in the morning." Small action is better than no action, I believe.
I stand firm in my support of Palestine mostly because I've been exposed to resources combatting propaganda.
As detrimental as my cellphone has been to my well-being, I'm grateful for the perspectives and empathy it has awarded me. I encourage everyone to check their biases instead of blindly believing what is shared at face value, especially with AI being unchecked.
As exhausting as it is, I maintain the hope that one day, from the river to the sea, Palestine and every other oppressed nation will be free.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Group Editors and its publications.
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