The responsibility of influential voices in the face of social injustices
When someone with a large audience remains silent in the face of injustice, they are missing the opportunity to educate and raise awareness among their audience.
Every day, we live more immersed in social media; we consume entertainment, news, share our private lives, and become part of online communities. Without realizing it, we are influenced daily through famous personalities and influencers we follow, but what extent can that influence have?
In the digital era, influential individuals have an unprecedented reach thanks to the various platforms and media channels they have access to, reaching massive audiences instantly and directly. These figures, often without realizing it, wield a greater power than they think: they are capable of altering and determining how a person thinks, behaves, and speaks.
This power of influence carries great responsibility, especially when addressing issues of social impact, such as denouncing injustices or promoting positive social change.
The problem arises when these influential voices choose to remain silent and not speak out on issues that affect everyone, such as the ongoing genocide experienced by the Palestinian people or the lack of resources in refugee camps around the world. Many of these figures choose silence out of fear of losing followers or opportunities to collaborate with brands, but they fail to realize that what they are losing is the opportunity to raise awareness among their audience about the reality that people experience beyond the perfection portrayed on social media.
Many people may believe that these influencers or celebrities cannot effect change in people's lives, but the truth is that a simple Instagram story or a post on Twitter can awaken the interest of many people to learn about what is happening in the world and subsequently start contributing their part.
The issue is that many of these influential voices believe that their words will not save the world, and thus they prefer to remain silent. A grave mistake. When you have over a million followers, you wield a very great power, especially a power to do good that is sorely needed today.
Fortunately, we have personalities who do use their privilege to speak out against injustices, such as actress Alba Flores, who has repeatedly voiced her support for Gaza with messages like "stop arms trade, ceasefire now" or during the Goya Awards saying "peace for Palestine." Other examples are Carlota Bruna and Jon Kareaga, both environmental activists, who promote a sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle through their social media, advocating for awareness about the importance of the environment.
In Kareaga's case, he reports on living conditions in places like Bangladesh, where wages are meager, child exploitation is part of daily life, and the fashion industry pollutes the landscapes. On the other hand, Bruna informs about recycling, conservation, and animal testing, among other topics.
They are a clear example that if one wants to, one can. Opportunities will not vanish by giving voice to those who need it, and if they do disappear, it's better because the ones that truly matter will come.
By using their voice to advocate for justice and equity, as well as to inform about the reality experienced in other countries, influential individuals can play a transformative role in building a world where everyone has equal opportunities and is treated with dignity and respect. Their commitment to these fundamental values is essential to progress toward a more humane future for all.