All Talk, No Action: The Problem With Instagram’s Toxic Positivity Vortex

Accountability culture vs. cancel culture is currently an Instagram debate surrounding the ways in which influencers and brands have responded to accusations exposing their tenuous relationship with diversity and commitment to racial equality. Ubiquitous fashion labels like Reformation and influencers from across the globe have been brought to tears on social media apologizing for the ways in which they have poorly handled themselves and how they have turned a blind eye to critical conversations we should be having on a regular basis. Accounts like Diet Prada call for them to be #cancelled, not giving anyone the opportunity to grow from their mistakes. But who is following up with all that "listening and learning" and making sure that these figures or brands are course corrected? If we give people the opportunity to not be immediately “cancelled,” but to first acknowledge their mistakes and grow from them, will they take it? Or will they comfortably reside with the knowledge that they can keep their heads above water another day and resume posting selfies and outfit snaps?

A few weeks ago, there was an Instagram quote that went viral – and I mean viral, reposted by everyone from the Kardashians to your favorite actors to your friends and family members – that spun the poisonous narrative that 2020 is perhaps the “year we have been waiting for,” one that will finally make us confront issues like systemic racism (without even mentioning it!) and commit to change. When a point is made that romanticizes this horrific year, it is largely dismissive and egregiously painful to those who continue to experience incalculable loss and constant fear. Moreover, someone’s suffering is not an opportunity for someone else’s learning experience.

The latter half of the viral quote I do agree with – that this is a moment for change. Although when the person spewing these trendy, minimalistic, Pinterest-esque poetics does nothing to follow up, does not show growth, and does not commit to change, this is where the problem lies. That the hundreds of thousands of people who engaged with this content might then do the same – not take their actions further than simply reposting a quote that makes them feel warm inside for a few seconds – equates to hundreds of thousands of missed opportunities for real change (467,032 to be exact). And I could name dozens of people, those I know and celebrities I follow, who reposted these words to then follow up with negligible action.

A lot of the time we speak without thinking, and now, we post and repost with little forethought. Well if 2020 teaches us anything more than what it already has, it should be to think twice about the impact words can have and to take accountability for our actions. This is a movement that requires you to respond, grow, learn, and change.

Once the author of this quote realized the damaging effects this post had on her audience of now fifty thousand people (and perhaps misinterpretation of her original intention), owning up to the mistake would be the first, and easiest, step towards change. How we use our “15 minutes of fame” (an expression inspired by Andy Warhol) will be our legacy; what will we do to justify such privilege afforded to us? But what we also do when no one is watching is just as important. Personally, I choose to talk, to have conversations with friends, family and coworkers, and to raise money for various organizations whose values align with my own.

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🖤 We are reflecting, listening and educating ourselves. 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍 𝟐𝟏 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐄 $𝟏 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐀 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆. Below we’ve listed 𝟐𝟏 arts and culture organizations as well as those tackling racial injustice and mental health that uplift black and minority communities. Comment with others as well ‼️ ↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓ @dopeblackart 🖤 @blackartlibrary 🖤@blackartexpo 🖤 @blackartfuturesfund 🖤 @blackartanddesign 🖤 @blackartmatters🖤 @blackartgang 🖤 @therapyforblackgirls 🖤 @browngirltherapy 🖤 @blackfemaletherapists 🖤 @thelovelandfoundation 🖤 @supportblackcollege 🖤 @blacklovefestnyc 🖤 @blackgirlswhopaint 🖤 @badguild 🖤 @blackartnow 🖤 @supportblackart 🖤@blackgirlmagik 🖤 @blackgirlfest 🖤 @blackfolkny 🖤 @blackartincubator 🖤@studiomuseum 🖤 @i_too_arts 🖤 @thewrightmuseum 🖤@dusablemuseum 🖤@blackgirlscode 🖤 @blackvoices 🖤@blackartistspace
A post shared by Salon 21 (@salon.21) on Jun 3, 2020 at 2:07pm PDT

Rather than sugarcoating our days with soothing pictures of ocean waves and motivational quotes, we must have the conviction to do something substantial during these revolutionary, strange, and scary times we are living through. Not all of us can give monetarily, but we all have a voice, and how we use it, what we choose to say, and what we choose not to say, speaks volumes about our character.

A quote misattributed to Aristotle that I feel is a helpful way to determine what one’s place is in this revolution, goes something like, “Where your talents and the world's needs cross, there lies your vocation.” For me, this happens to be educating others about the importance of art in our society, both historically and maybe now more than ever. Building Salon 21, a community committed to uplifting voices of emerging artists and encouraging others to appreciate the arts, has given me a platform to raise awareness about Black contemporary artists and organizations to support them as well as galleries and small business affected by the pandemic. 

I am ecstatic to report that we have been able to raise thousands of dollars for the following organizations:

The New Dealer’s Art Alliance’s Gallery Relief Fund
Black Art Futures Fund
Alachua County Labor Coalition
G.L.I.T.S.
The National Day Laborer Organizing Network’s Immigrant Relief Fund

July is minority mental health awareness month. I would implore everyone who has kindly taken the time to read this article to check in on your community, and if you have the resources, to donate and get involved in The Loveland Foundation, an organization “committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls.” We have also been making tie dye in our spare time to donate to this incredible organization of leading women. And a special shout out to @dontletdisco – a colleague who has been hand-beading bracelets to raise money for a plethora of fundraisers under the umbrella of Black Lives Matter. Just like her punny handle emphasizes: do NOT let this go! This is not just an Instagram moment; this type of social engagement and empathy needs to become part of our everyday lifestyles. 

It is up to our generation to get this right, however long it takes to undo the damage that has already been done and continues to be done. This will not happen unless we look at 2020 with a truly critical and informed lens and do our part, however small we think that might be.

Oh and wear a damn mask!

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An important question we should all ask ourselves. ♥️ #blacklivesmatter
A post shared by Sinead (@sineadbovell) on Jun 5, 2020 at 9:35am PDT

Alex Bass is the founder of art startup Salon 21 and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Art Business at the Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London. She received her B.A. from Columbia University in Art History with a Concentration in Business Management. Alex is a devoted volunteer and fundraiser as well as being part of female-led organizations such as The Female Founder Collective, spotlighting women entrepreneurs.