Why my Facebook profile picture is of Optimus Prime

As pretty much all of you know, there's been a recent movement on Facebook to raise awareness of child abuse. The way in which it's been spread is interesting: change your profile picture to a favorite cartoon of your childhood.

Judging by the majority of my Facebook friends' profiles, it has been a big success. At the same time, there's been a significant amount that has poked fun or questioned how such a movement accomplishes much. And you know, that's valid. It begs the question, how effective is online, social network activism?

After thinking about it on and off for the past day, I can't say that I can see how pictures of Transformers, Rainbow Brite, He-Man, Rugrats, etc., will translate into effective action to prevent child abuse. And then I remembered, that wasn't the point of this movement; it was to raise awareness, in the hopes of creating a discussion.

I myself was not a victim of child abuse in any way, a huge blessing given to me by my parents. If I was a child abuse victim, however, I think I would appreciate that others were bringing attention to the issue, even in a small way, even as a baby step. You have to start somewhere.

Think about this: how many times have you heard about a worthy cause, yet declined to take it up personally, because the need just seemed too great? In the past, I've refrained from supporting mission trips, sponsoring children, volunteering my time, and other active things, because I felt it was just too heavy a burden to carry.

The truth is, all worthwhile causes are too heavy for us to carry individually. But as a group, we take enthusiasm and determination, feed off each other, share the workload, and quickly accomplish small victories that begin adding up. Sometimes it starts with one passionate person. Sometimes it starts with a Facebook movement.

Yes, sometimes it seems like just another gimmick. Or just another face on a milk carton. Or just another sappy, tear-jerking commercial. Or just another solicitor at your door....and so on and so forth. But let's not nitpick all the "help us" messages, and let's not get run over by the immense need that exists in this world. Instead, let's turn the tables and identify a small, practical need we can meet for others, be consistent with it, and let it grow from there. Who knows where it will go? I do know this, though: doing such things can overwhelm even the greatest of evils, and meet even the greatest of needs.

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