How Google Docs became resistance social media

A week after George Floyd was killed, hundreds of thousands participated in protests throughout the United States and around the world demanding education, attention, and justice. But one of the key tools for organizing these protests is amazing. It is not encrypted, does not rely on signing in to social networks, and is not even designed for this purpose. Google Docs.

Just last week, Google Docs has emerged as a way to share everything List of books on racism To template Letter to family And Representative To list of Funds And resource We are accepting donations. Shared Google Docs, viewable and editable by anyone, have become a valuable tool for grassroots organizations to organize during both the coronavirus epidemic and the brutal protests of the US-affected police. .. Not the first time. In fact, activists and activists have long used word processing software as a more efficient and accessible protest tool than Facebook or Twitter.

Google Docs was released in October 2012. Not only is Google’s email account already widespread, but it’s also quickly gained because it allows multiple users to co-edit and edit at the same time. The incumbent Microsoft Word has finally become a real rival.

However, it has always been used for purposes other than simple word processing. Teens have long been using Google Docs Exchange notes during boring lectures, For example. Recently, during the pandemic, Google docs were widely shared to help deal with the stress of lockdown. By ordering shelter in place, Feeling good list From what the New York Times carried out the activities and thoughts of the press on the platform,A note from our home to you]) From Virtual escape room, Socially distant comedy show, Crowdsourced collaboration crosswords,and Community grocery list for people in need..

It wasn’t until the 2016 elections when false information campaigns flourished that software became a political tool. Used by Melissa Zimdars, Assistant Professor of Communication at Merrimack College create Page 34 Document The title “False, Misleading, Click-Baity, and/or Satire” “News” Sources”

Zimdars has influenced many political Google docs. For this Method Of the campaign for the Democratic Party for the 2018 midterm elections. By the time the elections passed, Google Docs was also used to protest the immigration ban and advance the #MeToo movement.

Today, the community is using the software to sort things out after the killing of George Floyd on Memorial Day weekend. One of the most popular Google docs that came out last week isResources for Black Life Accountability and ActionIt features distinct steps that people can take to help victims of police atrocities. It is sponsored by Carlisa Johnson, a 28-year-old graduate journalism student at Georgia State University.

Johnson created a Google doc shortly after George Floyd’s death Armored berriesThe February killing by fathers and sons did not reach arrest until a video of the incident was released in May. “I’ve done this [sharing links for direct action] Johnson has been using his friends and family network since 2014. She has never created a public Google doc like this. I chose it on Facebook and Twitter because it’s easy to access. Many people don’t know how to do this when they say “contact the person in charge”. “Direct links to Google Docs make it easier for people to get involved, she says.

Another viral Google doc, which appeared after the killing of George Floyd and lists the resources of the protesters and organizations that accept donations, was created by an activist called Indigo. Indigo says accessibility and live editing are the main benefits of Google Docs over social media. It’s a medium used by everyone I have organized and by many others. “

Like Johnson, Indigo used to “bookmark a bunch of links and email them” to gather resources after the murder of Floyd, but found that “I just couldn’t keep up with it.” It seems no one else could. But Indigo was frustrated with Twitter. “If you find something amazing on an off occasion, you have to retweet, like, or share it at that moment, or it’s gone forever.” The answer is on Google Docs did.