If you saw pink icons on social media last week, they were probably part of the social media campaign.
Most people who keep up with politics or the trending topics on Facebook or Twitter are probably aware that there have been major attempts to defund Planned Parenthood. As a reproductive health junkie and an avid social media user, the hashtags #StandWithPP and #PinkOut excited me beyond belief.
Twitter, Instagram and Facebook lit up in pink on Tuesday. Not literally but, hundreds of social media users changed their profile pictures to much pinker versions of themselves and donned pink in an attempt to show policymakers that Planned Parenthood is an important part of women’s health.
Though it may seem like beating a dead horse, the #PinkOut is a prime example of millennial mobilization surrounding a topic. People throughout the nation also told stories of why they supported Planned Parenthood. The stories were as personal as emergency abortion stories and as broad as simply stating, “my body my rules.”
As I scrolled down my social media feeds I was happy to see that yet again young people felt like they had a place to advocate and share their voice within their own circumstance.
Even as Cecil Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood, spoke on the floor of the House, supporters tweeted their support for the organization. After an impeccable speech by Richards, the already pinked-out supporters tweeted and posted #ThankYouCecil in order to show further support.
It is one thing to read a weekly column about pop culture and how it’s transforming into a playground of social justice, it is another thing to witness countless movements mobilize and prove said transformation. Planned Parenthood is a prime example of an organization or group that knows it's importance to its supporters.
Celebrities like Ariana Grande showed their support by pinking out Instagram photos and sharing them with fans.
Not only was the message of Tuesday’s #PinkOut important, but the methods used are really incredible to examine. A planned mobilization and movement was scheduled to take place on an extremely important day for Planned Parenthood as an organization. Across the United States, facilities with social media accounts and campus groups made posts about showing support. Finally when the day came to be, millennials, young people and just general reproductive justice advocates voiced their thoughts.
It may seem very small when compared to other movements, but the #PinkOut as a success because facts were shared, services were shared and the voices of women of all social standing were given a chance to show policymakers the detrimental effects of defunding Planned Parenthood.
Kenyetta Whitfield is a sophomore studying journalism. What did you think of the #PinkOut campaign? Tweet Kenyetta @Ken_Whitty or email her at kw162913@ohio.edu.
