A large part of Tumblr is about aesthetic. Since the website started coming into popularity, people have been blogging and reblogging aesthetically pleasing photos.
A big trend in particular? Pastel.
On any person’s dashboard, it’s possible to see pictures of pretty looking Starbucks drinks, (such as the Unicorn Frappucino from last spring), girls with colorful hair and the ever-popular bath bombs, which can turn plain bath water into a swirl of stars floating in a galaxy within seconds.
Many Tumblr users also focus on social justice, politics and third-wave feminism. With more and more people becoming aware of the numerous world issues, such as police brutality, dangerous leaders and bigotry, Tumblr dashboards are commonly filled with posts from social justice activists.
Sometimes, the aesthetic and social justice sides of Tumblr are merged into a single picture: a statement such as “terrorism has no religion” or “all genders are valid” written on a pastel pink or blue background. While it’s great the aesthetic side of Tumblr is acknowledging issues in the world, there are a few things that annoy me about this form of activism.
For one, it doesn’t actually do anything to help the issue at hand. Yes, I’m sure most of us are guilty of being “slacktivists“– a term used to describe those who are concerned with a cause, but don’t physically do anything to contribute to it. But even some forms of social media activism can help, whether it’s sharing an article about a cause, or giving a link to a shooting victim’s PayPal or GoFundMe. This is informational, and can help people learn. Writing an obvious statement such as “black lives matter” and sticking it on a pretty background? Not so much.
A reason people may make pastel art about a serious topic and post it on their blog is due to wanting to keep the aesthetic the same as the rest of the layout of the blog. This can come off as vain and shallow; at least it does to me. Don’t be afraid to reblog something informational for your followers to read– whether or not it looks cute on your blog.
Lastly, if you care about an issue at hand, get involved in the real world! I’m not saying you have to go to an out-of-control protest, but you should do something to physically contribute. If you can, call out a racist family member or friend, or donate to someone who needs the help.
As for the pastel backgrounds? You might mean well by using them for issues you care about, but, ultimately, all they do is look pretty on your blog. Save them for the song lyric moodboards.
