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In an era dominated by smartphones and social media, the line between observer and participant in traumatic events has blurred. The recent tragedies involving Minneapolis residents Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good have reignited discussions about the role of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the chilling nature of violent videos circulating online. These incidents not only reveal the harsh realities of systemic injustice but also highlight the profound psychological effects that witnessing such violence can have on individuals and communities.
The Rise of Affective Witnessing
Every day, countless people are confronted with loss, grief, and death through the screens of their devices. This constant exposure collapses the distance between the mourner and the witness, a phenomenon referred to as “affective witnessing.” As scholars have noted, the advent of social media and surveillance technology has transformed our relationship with grief, making it a shared experience that can resonate deeply within our bodies and minds.
When we encounter harrowing footage, the emotions of the original witness intertwine with our own. Judith Butler, a prominent cultural theorist, emphasises that grief transcends the personal realm; it is social, cultural, and political. In the digital age, public expressions of grief can amplify existing inequalities, rendering some losses more visible and “grievable” than others. This phenomenon has given rise to what death researcher Darcy Harris describes as “political grief,” a collective mourning stemming from systemic injustices, such as the violent actions of ICE agents.
Mobile Media: A Double-Edged Sword
The role of mobile media in shaping political grief cannot be understated. From its inception, mobile technology has served as a critical tool for mobilising collective action. Notably, during the 2001 protests in the Philippines, text messaging proved vital in rallying demonstrators against then-President Joseph Estrada. More recently, the viral footage of George Floyd’s tragic death at the hands of Minneapolis police reverberated across the globe, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice.
Cultural scholars Andrew Brooks and Michael Richardson describe this dynamic as “embodied affective witnessing,” where the experiences of the victim, the bystander, and their online audience become intertwined. However, while mobile media can empower communities to rally for change, it can also be weaponised by authorities as a tool for surveillance, complicating our relationship with the content we consume.
Navigating Grief in the Digital Age
In a world where the distance between mourner and witness is diminishing, the need for “digital grief literacy” has never been more urgent. Psychologist Lauren Breen and her colleagues advocate for the development of respectful conversations around grief that can connect to hope and social action. In light of distressing ICE footage, this may involve pausing before sharing graphic content, considering the potential impact on others, and seeking safe spaces to process feelings of political grief.
Moreover, as we have observed in our research on grief in Australia, individuals experience loss in diverse ways. Some choose to refrain from sharing upsetting footage, prioritising their mental wellbeing and the dignity of victims. Others engage in thoughtful sharing to foster understanding and activism. The burden of navigating these complex emotions should not rest solely on individuals; society must cultivate better media grief literacy to facilitate public discussions about how to manage grief on both personal and communal levels.
Why it Matters
The implications of witnessing violence through mobile media extend far beyond individual experiences; they shape collective consciousness and influence societal change. As we grapple with the emotional weight of these shared traumas, it is essential to foster environments that support open dialogue and compassion. The way we process and respond to grief can ignite movements for justice and reform, making it imperative that we develop the tools to engage meaningfully with the pain that unfolds before us. Understanding and addressing the psychological impact of witnessing violence is not just a personal concern; it is a societal responsibility that can lead to transformative action.
