The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Since the dawn of social media, people have utilized outlets such as Facebook and Twitter as a tool for voicing their opinions and point of views. Any thing from silly pet videos to endless amounts of selfies, the distribution of content no matter what the subject matter has never been easier. But among the relentless mounds of mindless information and social media entertainment there lies also a great amount of cause. The question isn't if this kind of content exists but rather is it effective?

Throughout the years we have seen our share of social media causes with events such as the Kony 2012 awareness project to petitions following countless amounts of issues such as police brutality and law reform. In many cases when you come across posts that are attempting to push for some cause there is no doubt it'll have it's share of critical comments.

To site some examples I pulled some comments from the recent ALS Ice Bucket Challenge videos (if you aren't aware of what it's all about we'll get to that);

I think that this campaign does play into the narcissistic, selfie obsessed society that has now established itself online. "Look at me I'm doing this for a charity!- Look at me people" and it pushes the focus too much on the people doing it and not the actually cause.

- Anonymous Hater

 

what is ALS ?.....i had to google it.....should have been spelled out to help spreading the word , no ?

-Anonymous Hater

 

 

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is a video challenge that encourages participants to dump a bucket of ice water over their heads in loo of having to donate to the ALS foundation. At the beginning you are supposed to call someone out to participate, then leaving the decision up to them whether they want to meet the challenge or donate instead. The challenge draws controversy in it's methods of gaining awareness that has people questioning if it really weighs in on the issue. Typically with the array of causes we see scattered amongst social media not too mention ridiculous video challenges that sometimes leave people seriously injured, things like this get it's fair share of doubt. Here are some facts and thoughts according to the foundation:

 

With only about half of the general public knowledgeable about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, the Ice Bucket Challenge is making a profound difference. Since July 29, The Association has welcomed more than 70,000 new donors to the cause.

 

Between July 29 and today, August 12, The ALS Association and its 38 chapters have received an astonishing $4 million in donations compared to $1.12 million during the same time period last year. The ALS Association is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from those people who have been doused, made a donation, or both. Contributions further The Association’s mission to find a cure for ALS while funding the highest quality of care for people living with the disease.

 

 

It has become arguably one of the most effective social media campaigns yet, and in it's mission to achieve awareness it's done far more than what it has expected with an outcry and variety of celebrity endorsement with an incredible reach. As for plenty of the other causes littered around our favorite social media outlets, it's hard to say what effect these things can have on a cause.

 

Here is my favorite one yet...

 

Conan O' Brian

 

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.



 

 

To find out more about Lou Gehrig's Disease and to make a donation go to: The ALS Association Website



Target Signs Amicus Brief on Marriage Equality

I was screwing around on Facebook just wasting some time the other day when I scrolled past a post by the Los Angeles LGBT Center. The post was announcing and sharing that retailer Target was finally breaking their silence about support for the LGBT community and equal marriage rights, which was spring boarded by this image:


 

Really quick, I think it's important to be conscious of the blurred lines existent in LGBT supportive advertising. Companies have become more aware and privy to the extent in which the LGBT community and market can drive a company. It is a huge market. Makes you wonder how often companies make these moves for the sake of profit alone. Are they really taking any big risk in doing things like this? Do the people at the top really support the LGBT community or is it just a sales drive? 

Jodee Kozlak, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, supported the announcement with a detailed blog on Target’s decision to sign an Amicus Brief on marriage equality.The blog is a summary of the reasoning behind their latest business development and very simply states that Target is trying to accomplish much more than racking in sales:

"You may have heard us talk about our long-standing commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Those aren’t just words. They are how we conduct ourselves – as a business and as a team. And as a part of that belief, we continually evaluate where we are as a company to ensure we are taking steps that balance doing what is right for our business, guests and for our team."

 Jodee Kozlak, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

So what in the hell is an Amicus Brief and why is it so important for the LGBT community, and even more our society?

 Amicus briefs are legal documents filed in appellate court cases by non-litigants with a strong interest in the subject matter. The briefs advise the court of relevant, additional information or arguments that the court might wish to consider.

What this ultimately states is that Target means business, and they are not just putting out a cute advertisement to try and shove their way into the hearts of a developing market place. The Target Wedding Gift Registry is a fighting case in which Target, being a nationally recognized company, is seeking legal action in conjunction with other large companies to abolish current laws in places like Wisconsin and Indiana that make it difficult to attract and retain talent. Laws that refuse to recognize marriages that were conducted legally in other states and that refuse to support equality in the work place. The amicus brief will be a defining statement and progression for the LGBT community in the world of business nationwide, and Target has announced that they are at the foreground of that battle. 

"At Target, we have long offered comprehensive, competitive benefits to our LGBT team members and their families, often above what is legally required. We continue to do so today because we believe doing so is right for our team and for our business. But current laws  make it difficult to attract and retain talent. These disparate laws also create confusing and complicated benefits challenges across multiple states.

We believe that everyone – all of our team members and our guests – deserve to be treated equally. And at Target we are proud to support the LGBT community."

For that, right on Target. I applaud you.

To read the full blog post click the following link: Target Signs Amicus Brief on Marriage Equality