Keenan Thompson as the ghost of MLK and Pete Davidson as a kid who has to do a report in a January 17 “Saturday Night Live” skit.
This “Saturday Night Live” opener from January 17 was funny and sad at the same time. This bit of conversation is something I’ve been thinking about for a long time:
The Ghost of MLK: And these protests, did you join in?
Kid: Oh yeah, I definitely protested. It’s really easy now. You just take your phone, push this Twitter button, then type in hashtag, “I Am Ferguson,” or hashtag, “We’re all black,” or hashtag “Blessed.” And then you’re done!”
I don’t think there’s any substitute for getting your butt out onto the street if there’s something you feel passionate about.
My current writing project dives into 1970s activism. I’ve been studying those protest movements for years and it’s hard for me to see how tweeting is a replacement for on-the-ground activism.
Could the changes that Martin Luther King, Jr., inspired have taken place today? Or would people have been too lazy to march with him?
If you want to see change, don’t just tweet about it. Actually go out there and make your presence known. Are you willing?
If You Have Five Seconds to Spare 