The Weight of Words: Social Media and the Power of Language

Words are important tools for social and political engagement both on-and-offline. On social media, they are ever more valuable than jewels. Because of the democratic platform provided by social media, words have enabled political and human rights activists to challenge the status quo and generate ripples of conversation on what otherwise would be considered a ‘no go zone’. The social media campaign by Stella Nyanzi, a Ugandan academic and social activist is the best demonstration of how heavy words and a strong languages can explicably blend to shake up an entire political establishment and social construct. Through her series of Facebook Posts filled with eccentric sexual expressions, Nyanzi attracted millions of following on social media and she would soon emerge as the newest and fierce face of Uganda’s political and social movement. In her series of attacks against the Museveni family for what she regards as maladministration and mismanagement of the country, she was arrested and charged with cyber harassment and offensive communication.