Social Media Celebrations

This past few weeks has been extremely exciting for the U.S. legal system. DOMA was overturned, as was Proposition 8, Senator Wendy Davos (D-TX) enacted a historical filibuster to protect women’s rights, and Immigration Reform was passed in the Senate. All in one week! These historic, and might I say precedential decisions, have generated much excitement throughout the U.S. and as the three of us know, throughout the world. On a Wednesday morning, I anxiously sat in front of my computer g-chatting with Amanda Jessen (in Ankara, Turkey) and Gio Steel (in Budapest, Hungary) and live streaming the Supreme Court’s decision in regards to DOMA and Proposition 8. While all 3 of us shared our opinions, concerns and excitements, we were simultaneously rewatching clips on youtube and other news agencies from the filibuster the night before in Texas. Time zones can be challenging to stay up to date, but all three of us were sharing social media sources and trying our past to stay up-to-date as possible.

            When the Supreme Court handed down its decision on Wednesday, we erupted in happiness, Skype calls were made, Facebook statuses were posted, and Tweets were tweeted. These decisions helped Amanda to foster a budding friendship with a colleague in Turkey. While we couldn’t be there to hug and celebrate together, we resorted to the next best option: social media celebrations. Despite the distance that separates the three of us (and our families, loved ones and friends) social media allows us a vehicle to stay connected, stay informed and share important moments (whether they be positive or negative).

            This past week has highlighted the extreme importance and usefulness of social media in the Conflict Resolution field and for those working abroad in addition to its obvious usefulness. While there are many reservations and concerns about social media in certain fields, for example, the lack of validity, the potential to be used for malicious purposes and the overabundance of information, I would argue that social media aids strongly in information dissemination, fostering connections and solidarity.

            Social media mechanisms, such as facebook chat and Gchat allow those with a limited internet connection to stay abreast of current developments. Gio, for example, had what we like to say ‘spotty’ internet and could access chat services but was having a harder time live streaming. She was able to rely on the chats from us to understand minute by minute updates and foster a sense of solidarity.

            The Conflict Resolution field is extremely diverse and interacts with many other fields: international development, humanitarian intervention and defense efforts, amongst others. Social media is a way for us as students and practitioners to stay abreast of issues affecting other sectors. Even if it is simply knowledge dissemination social media serves as an impressive source of information and knowledge and sharing. By being aware and knowledgeable we, as practitioners and scholars, can stand in solidarity with those working in different fields. It is easy to become bogged down in issues that are directly related to our field and overlook issues that are equally as pertinent. Through Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and news sources, especially posts by organizations and colleagues, I am able to stay more knowledgeable of many more issues and topics, rather than just those that impact my work. As a community, we must stand in solidarity with one another and support the work and efforts of all conflict resolution practitioners.