Social Justice Isn’t a Hashtag: Why Action Beats Engagement Farming Every Time
by Chaz Stevens, Artist and Activist
In the age of social media, everyone has a platform, and activism has never been more accessible — or more performative. Scroll through your feed, and you’ll see countless self-proclaimed “social justice warriors” offering opinions on issues like racism, sexism, or climate change. But what happens after the likes, retweets, and fire emojis roll in? For many, it stops there. No follow-up. No action.
Performative activism has taken over social media. People focus on looking like they care rather than making a real difference. It’s all about engagement farming — chasing likes and followers without creating real change. But what’s the point of thousands of followers if they aren’t mobilized to make a difference?
“Do you ever see these ‘warriors’ posting about their IRL work? No, of course not, as it’s easy to type 160 characters, but getting off their ass and into the game? Along with 50 BlueSky followers, there’s my 200-foot-long Wikipedia page.”
— Chaz Stevens
The Illusion of Impact: Vanity Metrics vs. Real Action
Activism isn’t about appearances, but performative gestures often overshadow meaningful action. Consider #BlackoutTuesday during the Black Lives Matter movement. Millions of people posted black squares on Instagram to show solidarity. While the gesture was well-meaning, for many, it ended there.
In fact, these posts often buried crucial updates and resources from activists working on the ground. This highlights the fallacy of performative activism: it centers the “activist” instead of the cause.
Another symptom of performative activism is the obsession with follower counts. Some influencers post vague messages about social justice while rarely engaging in the hard work of organizing protests, lobbying for policy change, or volunteering. This isn’t activism — it’s just for show.
What Real Activism Looks Like
True activism requires courage, time, and a willingness to challenge the status quo, even when it’s hard. It happens in the public sphere, not just on social media.
Take my work, for example. I’ve raised Pabst Blue Ribbon Festivus Poles in government spaces like the Florida Capitol Rotunda. These displays push back against unconstitutional religious symbols in public places. I’ve also installed Gay Pride Festivus Poles across America to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights.
My activism doesn’t stop there. I launched a project to ban the Bible in Florida schools, pointing out its violent and inappropriate content under the state’s book-ban laws. This led Governor Ron DeSantis to weaken those laws, pointing the finger at me directly during a press conference. Activism like this forces lawmakers to address uncomfortable truths, showing the power of taking bold action.
By the way, this kind of activism isn’t without its risks. As I often say:
“I’ve been shot at, sued, had my dog poisoned, lost my business, and dealt with endless issues in public. There was even a time when the Broward Sheriff’s Office had a cruiser parked out front of my house for weeks. That’s the cost of taking a stand — but it’s worth it.”
Activism comes with its challenges, but hearing feedback like yours and seeing real change makes it all worthwhile.
This kind of work has garnered global attention. My projects have been reported across the globe in every major media outlet, from The Washington Post to TIME, from Fortune to NPR, and even international platforms like New Zealand Public Radio and The Guardian. The reach of these stories proves that impactful activism resonates far beyond its local origins.
Beyond symbolic displays, I’ve filed two pro se lawsuits. One targets Broward County Public Schools for viewpoint discrimination. The other takes on Florida State Representative Chip LaMarca, who blocked me on social media to silence dissent. These are examples of First Amendment activism in action, where the goal is accountability and systemic change.
Real activism isn’t easy. It takes time, energy, and money. Donations, though rare, are what keep efforts like these alive.
Your Role in Meaningful Activism
If you want to move from performative to meaningful activism, here are four simple steps to start:
- Start Locally: Look for issues in your community. Attend town halls, volunteer, or organize events to make an impact.
- Educate Yourself and Others: Knowledge is key. Read books, follow experts, and share credible information to strengthen your activism.
- Use Social Media Wisely: Don’t just post for likes. Use your platform to amplify voices, share resources, and connect people with causes. Yeah< I know, I’m more likely to snag a date with Paris Hilton.
- Hold Yourself Accountable: Ask, “What have I done beyond posting?” If the answer is nothing, it’s time to do more.
Conclusion: Let’s Farm for Change, Not Engagement
Social justice isn’t a hashtag or a trend. It’s hard, unglamorous work, often done without recognition. But that’s what makes it meaningful.
To those trading in likes and retweets: the world doesn’t need your hot takes — it needs your actions. And to those already in the trenches, doing the unglamorous work of change: keep going. You’re the ones who matter.
Expanded Call-to-Action: Support Real Activism
Activism like this doesn’t happen in a vacuum — it requires time, effort, and resources. Donations help cover the costs of filing lawsuits, creating public displays, conducting research, and traveling to confront those in power.
If you’ve been inspired by the stories of the Pabst Blue Ribbon Festivus Poles, the Bible-banning project, or the ongoing lawsuits, consider supporting this work. Your contribution, no matter the size, directly funds real-world efforts to protect free speech, challenge unconstitutional practices, and advocate for marginalized communities.
Click here to support this work and be part of meaningful change.
Let’s stop farming for engagement and start farming for real change.