17 minute read
FROM PANDEMIC TO PROTESTS
How the pandemic changed social media and George Floyd’s death created a collective conscience
By Pam Ramsden
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The image of a police officer kneeling on the neck of a George Floyd while he is in police custody, handcuffed and saying he cannot breathe will be forever be burned into our memory. In the last few weeks, many of us have been following the protests sparked by his killing through social media and online news publications. George Floyd is not the first black man to be killed by police brutality. Before him, there were many black people lost and civil rights activists had been calling for change well before this moment. However, what makes it different now is the sheer size of the response.
Across the world, from New York to Cape Town, large crowds of people of all ages and backgrounds have taken to the streets to protest the injustice of Floyd’s killing and to draw attention to the systems of racism that exist in their countries. The first protest began the day after Floyd was killed on May 26 and they are still going.
The coronavirus and how we have been consuming social media has a lot to do with the psychology of why so many have and continue to be mobilized.
FROM PANDEMIC TO PROTEST
In lockdown, our intake of negative news has increased with the number of reports of health services running out of supplies, the increasing number of deaths, and the basic disruption in daily living as we have been forced to lead socially distant lives and our connections with friends and family have come to a standstill. As a result, constant mind-numbing scrolling and almost compulsive consumption of negative media have acquired a new term: doomscrolling.
Through social media and news outlets, we have been subjected to the devastation of the coronavirus. We are seeing people in overwhelming circumstances, grieving families; doctors and nurses working without the PPE; and people dying in hospitals alone and without family contact. COVID-19 has created a fear of the unknown. Wear masks, don’t wear masks; the issues with PPE and testing; misinformation on social media about the virus; but most harrowing is the number of people who have been dying every day.
A growing body of research, pre-COVID, indicated links between depression and anxiety and social media use. Additional research suggests that people who lurk without active participation are also more likely to experience stress, depression and anxiety than those who actively get involved in conversations - though it may be that those prone to depression and anxiety are more prone to silent participation.
Constantly taking in all this information, with its focus on death and the looming threat of the virus has, for many, triggered a psychological concept
called terror management theory. This theory states that we have many defence mechanisms such as a just worldview, nationalism, and religious beliefs that help alleviate our fear and protects us from existential anxiety when something threatens our mortality. If these defence mechanisms fail and we feel exposed and threatened we attempt to connect to a broader social entity, a collective or to pursue something with meaning.
Floyd’s death combined with a history of systemic racism and police brutality towards people of colour has created the current collective. A collective that provides members with meaning and purpose. As a result, the fear of COVID-19 has been minimised because of the focus on mass gatherings and belonging-ness. It is this desire for a collective that is helping to advance the rise in protests and the mobilisation of people who previously might not have joined in.
Outraged Angelenos
On May 30, 2020 LAPD vehicles were set ablaze in broad daylight as protesters ignored authorities’ call for peaceful demonstrations in Los Angeles over the killing of George Floyd.
Mayor Eric Garcetti imposed a citywide curfew announcing everyone had to be off the streets by 8 p.m. after a night of violence that saw windows smashed and stores robbed.
People no longer want to define themselves as anxious and alarmed individuals in lockdown but people with a sense of meaning and purpose. As more join the ongoing protests they are reaching for something that psychologists call mortality salience – a need to experience a sense of clarity about worldviews, values and purpose in society.
As we have seen, many protesters reject any perspectives that oppose their own opinions and in turn support anyone who shares the same value system. In this case, they shout down anyone who rejects that police brutality is systemic or states that the current situation is a result of only a “few bad apples”.
And the protesters support political leaders, such as Republican senator and former presidential candidate Mitt Romney in the US, that demand change and social justice.
The protests have spread across the world offering many people the opportunity to become involved with an important movement and community. However, as the protests increase so does the possibility of doomscrolling. Social media is now proliferated with different violent visual images of police tear-gassing peaceful protesters and further attacks on them. This makes even more people sensitive to police brutality and procedural injustice and further feeds into the collective.
Even with the ever-looming fear of a second wave of coronavirus, protesters are invested in the collective and see the protests as worth the risk. Sentiments that have also been shared by healthcare professionals who have joined the cause in support.
People want to believe that they can contribute to some purpose that goes beyond the pandemic. The protests appear to provide people with a sense that life is meaningful and that they can bring about change together. Life does not have to be defined by a pandemic where social distancing, washing our hands and staying safe are our only options. We can join a collective with a cause against racism, social injustice and police brutality, whether that is through protest or other mechanisms of support. From fear in this current time, many people have found meaning.
Meet six Los Angeles moms who are making a better life for themselves and others. These boss ladies have vision, talent and goals they’re not letting anybody crush. Visit www.MommyInLosAngeles.com to read more about them and other awesome women that make Los Angeles a better city. Every Mom Has a Story.
Photo: Angela Amaya AALIA LANUS
Business Unsugarcoated Media
Website: www.unsugarcoatedmedia.com
IN BRIEF
Aalia is an author and public speaker who found her purpose after enduring an abusive relationship, overcoming self-esteem issues, raising four kids and surviving cancer. She’s the founder of Unsugarcoated Media, a non-profit organization that helps connect and motivate people from all walks of life through empowerment events. Last year, she published her second fiction book, Jugend, which touches on many of the social and political issues currently facing society from the perspective of two young boys growing up in different eras. IN BRIEF
Natalie, who’s a middle school teacher and mom of two young kids, once created an anti-bullying movement at her school called “The Kind Club”. The small effort to spread kindness now has over 100 student participants who focus on delivering acts of kindness such as collecting goods for homeless youth and leaving kind notes for people around campus and hospitals. And even though the current quarantine order doesn’t allow her to have regular meetings with the on-campus group, she still finds a way to give back by hosting virtual bingo nights and other activities for Kind Club members. IN BRIEF
AALIA SAYS
“As a woman, I finally found my voice and I no longer hold on to shame or blame that isn’t mine… If you can find the strength to help others with your voice and story, then share it, because it’s only when we share it, that we begin to know how truly powerful it is.”
Photography by Ani
NATALIE BERGHOUDIAN
Business The Kind Club
Website: www.KindClubBuildsLA.weebly.com
NATALIE SAYS
“I founded the club at my school site in 2014. The first year, I met with about forty girls.... We planned school-wide activities, such as a Kind Assembly. Over the next two years, our group expanded to over one hundred girls!” Photo: Mothers Into Living Fit
DESI BARTLETT
Business Mothers Into Living Fit
Website www.MothersIntoLivingFit.com
Desi is a Hollywood fitness expert (whose impressive client roster includes famous mommies like Kate Hudson). After inspiring countless women to live happier, healthier lives as they embark on their motherhood journey, she published her first book, Your Strong Sexy Pregnancy. The book includes a fitness program for every trimester, combining yoga, cardio, resistance training and nutrition. Plus, she touches on the baby blues with tips for an empowered mental health journey.
NATALIE SAYS
“I am very lucky that I have so many friends that are experts in their respective fields, and I was able to call on them to contribute their advice, meditation, and recipes for this book. This book took a village! Ironically, birthing the book took about the same amount of time as having a baby.” Photo: Gabriela Gandara
BETSY AIMEE CARDENAS
Business Born in June Creative
Website www.BornInJuneCreative.com
IN BRIEF
Betsy is the co-founder of Born In June Creative, a branding, multi-platform marketing, and social media company she launched with her husband in 2016. Her experience in community engagement, writing and public affairs has allowed her to grow her company with clients such as ADIDAS, Disney and the LA County Fair. She’s been featured in numerous publications as an expert in social media trends and she’s also the producer and host of her own podcast, The Currently— and she does it all while raising a school-aged son.
BETSY SAYS
On Starting a Business: “There is going to be days of elation and excitement and days where you try to remember why you started…When we work with founders. we always guide them back to their why. When you know why you are doing this, it will help you get through the hard days and sleepless nights.”
Photo: Lena Parker-Duncan
BIANCA ROSE
Instagram: @SweetDreamsLA A former entertainment industry professional, Bianca gave up her work with A-List celebrities to follow her passion for baking sweet treats. She enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu’s Patisserie and Baking Program and successfully launched a dessert catering business thereafter. Then, as a mom of small kids, she knew firsthand how hard it is to find balance with work and children, so she created Momcations, a series of retreats and road trips designed especially with moms in mind for relaxation. #SweetDreamsDoComeTrue
Photo: The Model Experience
JASMINE GUTIERREZ
Instagram: @classysassyfashionjas After having her first son, Jasmine experienced the world of modeling. The lingering desire to live through the rush of walking a runway show never left her. After her second son arrived, she came across the opportunity to return to the spotlight and joined the Model Experience, a multi-day program for aspiring models and influencers that culminates with a state-of-the-art runway show. “I felt it was the perfect outlet to get myself out there and out of my comfort zone,” says Jasmine. The event which also allows models to connect with fashion designers left her feeling empowered.
“To all the women out here being a badass, keep going, love!!,” she told her friends and followers on Instagram.
Nancy LozanoStecyk
Moms Rise
Photos By Daniela Rey
For Nancy Lozano-Stecyk, creating an organization to support local moms in their business aspirations was not only a personal goal— it was a necessity. The Burbank-based therapist who’s helped many clients find balance between raising kids and keeping their high profile careers intact, knew her skills would also be well-suited coordinating a focused group of movers and shakers— enthusiastic L.A. mompreneurs. “MomsRise is proof that with the right amount of mentorship and support, women can make big things happen!” says Lozano-Stecyk. Founded in 2018, MomsRise is a collective of business-minded moms who get together to share experiences, exchange ideas and help market each other’s’ businesses.
“MomsRise was an idea that started from my desire to help and learn from other successful business moms,” says Lozano-Stecyck. “I always knew there would be great energy if I invited a group of ladies whom I admire for the work they do in their communities— to share their stories and help fellow moms get started in their business endeavors.” The mom of a teen daughter and school-aged boy, Lozano-Stecyk had already experienced her own set of challenges and hardships as a single mom and she never lost sight of an idea to help support fellow moms. A few years ago, she had a full-time job as a
therapist but as she became accustomed to her important role, she also realized it was very taxing on her own mental wellness. She had spent years witnessing heart-breaking cases and offering therapy services to vulnerable populations, including at-risk youth. Eventually Lozano-Stecyk needed a break. She took time off to recharge and refocus her career.
When she found herself ready to return to the field, she launched her own company, Let’s Play Parents, which offers therapy services for families looking for a unique, hands-on approach to better connect with, and engage their children through play. She runs her own private practice in Burbank and also uses her office as the MomsRise headquarters. “From the moment I started my own business I began looking for support groups that would help women like myself, get started,” she recalls. “Then I realized I had the power to create it. MomsRise is meant to help women rise above the status quo.” Lozano-Stecyk’s unique set of skills and strengths led her to create a platform for other women to find and nurture their entrepreneurial spirit. So far, MomsRise has gathered enough mentors to host regular mompreneur workshops and events that focus on everything from marketing business owners as the engine behind their company and social media marketing to succeeding in a passion project while raising small kids. #LAMomsRock
SIMONA GRACE
Simona Grace, a single working mom in Los Angeles witnessed the unique challenges a single mother must face when running for office and the barriers women must break when it comes to fundraising, so she decided to do something about it. She founded Moms in Office and became the first single mother in the United States to start a political action committee with the mission to help elect progressive moms. A record number of women won seats in Congress in 2018, but the number of mothers with children under 18 remains low, at only five percent. According to Grace, moms make up one of the largest segments of our population in the United States and the smallest segment of our federal government. “If we want to see equal representation of women in government, this must include moms,” she says. Besides a more equal and intersectional representation in our government, Grace assures electing more moms to office would allow for passage of family-friendly bills - more moms in office would likely influence Congress to put these measures into law, she adds. In a recent interview with GirTalkHQ.com, Grace shared her thoughts on the current political climate, why family-friendly policies are important to her and are the backbone of our society, and how her own upbringing in Hungary behind the Iron Curtain shaped her into the fierce, determined, progressive advocate she is today. Moms in Office is on a mission to strengthen the political voice of all moms and help elect women with children to public office. The organization supports mothers running for office at all levels of government through fundraising and endorsements, while the site’s parenting blog provides information for moms who desire to stay informed but don’t have the time to read extensively. To support Grace’s cause or join her movement, visit: www. MomsInOffice.org
Moms In Office
Interview with New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in Los Angeles. Topics discussed included paid leave and the importance of electing more moms.
Moms in Office event panel discussion with LA City Council President Nury Martinez; State Assemblymember Rob Bonta and Emerge Board Chair Amber Maltbie. Meeting with Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) to discuss electing more moms to Congress (such as herself).
Canvassing for Sarah Kate Levy for Los Angeles City Council. Simona Grace is the Founder of Moms in Office a platform to help support and place moms in local, state and federal elected positions.
Speaking during Riveter x Moms in Office “Reinventing Motherhood in Politics” event.
Chrissy Teigen SHE SAID WHAT!?
Even though there’s never been a crowning ceremony for the reigning queen of Twitter, we believe Chrissy Teigen deserves a celebration.
The TV personality, author and model who’s married to John Legend is always on point with her social media game! She shares everything we want to know— whether she’s keeping it real about motherhood or clapping back at the country’s chief executive officer, this fearless mama gets us with an LMAO every single time. Here are some favorite moments from her Twitter account:
WHEN JOHN LEGEND WAS NAMED PEOPLE MAGAZINE’S SEXIEST MAN ALIVE (November 2019):
AND WHEN JOHN LEGEND GOT NOMINATED FOR TWO GRAMMYS:
ABOUT NAME DROPPING TO GET A DINNER RESERVATION: ON DEEP CONVERSATIONS WITH HER DAUGHTER:
A RARELY DISCUSSED REALITY TV OBSERVATION:
ON GETTING COZY AT HOME:
ON TAKING GROUP PICS
ON WHY SHE WOULD HIRE AN INTERN:
ON NEVER HAVING RECEIVED AN INVITE TO THE WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW: ABOUT WHY SHE HATES SHOWERING:
DURING THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE BETWEEN DONALD TRUMP AND HILLARY CLINTON:
AFTER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP CALLED HER A “FILTHY MOUTHED WIFE”
#PresidentP***yAssBitch (The hashtag started trending)
IN RESPONSE TO A TWEET FROM DONALD TRUMP WHERE HE SAID WE NEED TO KEEP ‘EVIL’ OUT OF OUR COUNTRY:
“What time should we call your Uber?”
