#TimesUp
Demagogue, is defined as a “political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument.” If this isn’t Donald Trump, I don’t know what is. I base this off of the fact that not only does he have very little credible, political knowledge, but he uses the fear of those who don’t fit into the stereotypical, white, “American image” and turned it into political power. Promising to “return” the jobs to the folks that were born in the mighty USA as if they owned them.
I’m a sport media student, I don’t comment on political issues; but one thing I do know is Social Media. Social Media is very effective in the sense that anyone can freely comment on what they choose. This is both a blessing and a curse. Why, you ask? Because it is a space where Demagogues like Trump can voice their irrationalities and build a following, but also where people can stand up to people like Trump; the reconcilers.
We’ve all been there before, when we don’t agree with something someone has said or done, so we send a text about it rather than confronting the individual to their face. It is easier, and less confrontational, and enables us to say things we might not normally have the guts to say out loud. That’s the platform social media has created in this day and age, for the good and the bad (the demagogues and the change seekers).
Donald Trump uses Twitter like a diary, posting things that maybe he shouldn’t say out loud… or ever… or even think… to himself…He tweets things like “Somebody please inform Jay-Z that because of my policies, Black Unemployment has just been reported to be at the LOWEST RATE EVER RECORDED!” -@realDonaldTrump (Jan. 28th 2018). How can the leader of the most powerful country in the world act this childish? His choice of words and language is not that of an educated, respectable politician. Maybe, if he wanted to prove his point to rapper Jay-Z, that his allegations were in fact, incorrect (if they even are), he could have posted something along the lines of “It has been brought to my attention that American Citizens are concerned with the rate of Black Unemployment in the country. It is my honour to announce that the current state of Black Unemployment is at it’s lowest rate ever in the USA, and I will continue to strive for improvement.” But that didn’t happen, and I think we would all die waiting for that to happen. Despite Trump’s immaturity he still racked up more than 230,000 likes and counting and almost 65,000 retweets. Trump supporters and reconcilers debated over this post, some saying “I’ve come to the realization that Donald supporters are ignorant, uneducated, & sensitive. I get so tired of them pointing fingers. It’s like if your guy is such a good president you wouldn’t have to reference Obama or Clinton to support your argument.” -@CurlsAnASmile (Jan. 28th 2018, and others replying “Honestly did you even listen & hear his speech tonight! Maybe you just didn’t understand or comprehend what he said! No wonder we have problems! Too bad you like do many far left liberals miss ed the real messages! Awareness & education helps!” -@SonjaRemmenSoph (Jan. 28th 2018).
Because Twitter has little control over what Donald says, he can say immature things as such, and his wide range of supporters can help spread the message. This, however, also goes for reconcilers with a large following like Oprah Winfrey. Oprah showed her support in the Jay-Z vs. Trump debate without outright saying anything political. In the heat of this social media war, she tweeted “ Watching #JayZ vibing with @VanJones68 #VanJonesShow on CNN. Both doing a great job!” This tweet was not direct, but subtle. Winfrey, who has more than 41 million followers on Twitter, caused a stir during a national broadcast of the 2018 Golden Globes, when she called out all the men who are abusers and misogynists (Donald Trump being one of the accused) to let them know that their #TimesUp. The speech was regal, powerful and truthful which sent the Twitterverse going crazy supporting the hashtag #TimesUp and questioning (praying) for a presidential campaign from the Queen of daytime. Oprah did not make any further comments on Twitter, but if she had, it would have reached her 41 million followers and beyond. Her speech did however inspire some celebrities to tweet about the subject matter, such as Mindy Kaling, Shonda Rhimes, Mariah Carey and Neil Patrick Harris, who combined “trump” the number of followers on Donald’s account. Jason Isaac’s wrote: “If you didn’t watch @Oprah elevating the art of communication and inspiration at the @GoldenGlobes, get your children — get your daughters — and do yourselves a favour. Show them how leaders SHOULD speak.” -@jasonsfolly (Jan.7th 2018).
From the sheer amount of attention just one Demagogue (Trump) and one Reconciler (Oprah) got from one personal action, goes to show that social media is an equal platform for both. As they both have large followings (more than 40 million each) social media has acted as an enabler for both parties. As their support continues, I assume their voices and opinions will also, both on social media and other platforms. Let’s use this as lesson to use our voices for good, to impact #change, stay #woke, and remind the demagogues, abusers and misogynists alike that their #TimesUp.
