Do I Have to Post About My Racial Justice Protests on Social Media?

Is that virtue signaling?

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story July 4, 2020 Illustration of Tomi Um   The Ethicist I’ve Protested for Racial Justice. Do I Have to Post on Social Media? The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on the pros and cons of virtue signaling — and more. By Kwame Anthony Appiah I am a white college student trying to be a better racial-justice advocate in the wake of George Floyd’s death. While I have not been very politically active in the past (which I regret), recently I have attended a protest, donated a lot of my savings to bail funds and related nonprofits, called my representatives about these issues and tried to educate myself about black history and black voices. However, I have not posted on my personal social media regarding Black Lives Matter. I don’t think I have a unique perspective to add to this conversation, and I don’t like the scrutiny that comes with a social media post. I also worry that if I do post about Black Lives Matter, it would be motivated mainly by virtue signaling. I believe my time would be more effectively spent supporting the B.L.M. movement in other ways. But I’ve also heard the argument that everyone has an obligation to post and that staying silent on these platforms is morally wrong. What do you think: Does being an ally require engaging with social media? Read the Ethicist’s response here. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT THIS WEEK’S MAGAZINE Photo illustration by Chris Burnett   Feature America’s Enduring Caste System Our founding ideals promise liberty and equality for all. Our reality is an enduring racial hierarchy that has persisted for centuries. By Isabel Wilkerson Sarah Anne Ward for The New York Times   Feature This Profile of Charlie Kaufman Has Changed How do you write about Hollywood’s most self-referential screenwriter at a destabilizing moment in history? It takes more than one draft. By Jon Mooallem Mahesh Shantaram for The New York Times   Feature Two Wealthy Sri Lankan Brothers Became Suicide Bombers. But Why? The Ibrahim brothers were part of a successful, moderate Muslim family. What drove them to help carry out the most devastating terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka’s history? By Samanth Subramanian Joshua Rashaad McFadden for The New York Times   Feature The Fall of Jeff Sessions, and What Came After The former attorney general is fighting for his political life in Alabama’s Senate race, in the shadow of a president who still despises him. By Elaina Plott Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT MORE FROM THE MAGAZINE: Photo illustration by Najeebah Al-Ghadban   Screenland ‘Can We Please Talk About Black Lives Matter for One Second?’ Should a Black protest movement be used to advance other progressive priorities? By Jay Caspian Kang Photo illustration by Ina Jang   Diagnosis She Was Healthy and Active. Suddenly She Had a Seizure. Her bouts of sweating and confusion were traced to dangerously low blood sugar. But what was causing it? By Lisa Sanders, M.D. Gentl and Hyers for The New York Times (Photography and Styling)   Eat This Giant Blueberry Scone Is Self-Care With Butter and Flour When the world is spinning wildly, baking can be the perfect balm. By Dorie Greenspan Jessica Pettway for The New York Times   Letter Of Recommendation Andy Warhol’s Secrets for Surviving Isolation The famously social artist was a secret homebody. His self-help book gave me permission to actually have fun at home. By Sophie Atkinson Stay in touch: Follow us on Twitter (@NYTmag) or check us out on Instagram. Appreciated this email? Forward it to a friend and help us grow. Loved a story? Hated it? Write us a letter at magazine@nytimes.com. Did a friend forward this to you? Sign up here to get the magazine newsletter. Listen to narrated versions of our articles every week. Download Audm for iPhone or Android. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The New York Times Magazine from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018