OBITCHUARY

OBITCHUARY: Instagram Infographics

Cause of death: performative activism words by Megan Adams

Stories are already the most annoying thing on Instagram, and the pretty little pastel pink infographics about #howtogirlboss and “What’s Going On In This Place” aren’t doing anything for us. Posting infographic after infographic on your story about current events isn’t the incredible advocacy and activism you think it is. We’re just annoyed because we have to tap through a whole ‘nother Instagram story that no one’s gonna read about a topic that everyone already knows about.

At first they didn’t suck so bad. Maybe they were even helpful, spreading awareness and information that many people might not have already had. But as we have progressed and time has passed, they are TIRED. Give it a rest, Sarah, we know you’re a “raging lib” according to your bio; are you actually gonna do something about these issues or just sit around posting little aesthetic graphics? But we digress. Of course these posts are well-intentioned — for the most part — and are often aimed to spread awareness, but they have simply run their course. Performative activism is a no from us.

Instead of finding little graphics about current events to match your feed, let’s try something called doing ~anything else~! There are so many ways you can support these issues, even some that you can do without having to spend any money at all while still contributing to something meaningful. I’m talking petitions (sometimes), protesting, educating yourself through books, documentaries, television series, listening to underrepresented voices, and literally just showing up for causes you care about. Any of these methods are a lot more effective than reposting the word art posts you find on your explore tab.

Try and think before you post something like “How to Rest When You’re Doing So Much for Every Single Cause!” think: Is it True? Helpful? Inspiring? Necessary? Kind? Just kidding — mostly. But really, think about who you’re helping when you post this stuff. Posting something just because it’ll match your virtual “aesthetic” isn’t activism, it’s just extraobnoxious virtue signaling. We can tell when a post is just for the look, and it’s not a look. Instead of posting those Canva squares on your story, do something tangible.

If you’re posting infographics and not backing them up with actions, let’s consider how you’re placing the value of your instagram’s vibe above the actual issue you claim to be supporting. That’s a little fucked up. Check yourself and observe the privilege you have to be able to care more about your “feed” than real societal issues because they don’t affect you personally. Rest In Peace to Instagram Infographics (2010 - 2021). She is survived by her husband, the Vignette effect, and her siblings: screenshots of tweets and Reels of TikToks. Being unnecessary must’ve run in the family. You will not be missed.