Opinion: Snappers replace clappers to show Denver social justice unity

Photo byjom jakkidonUnsplash

I admit I am late to this party, but I had no idea what activists were doing when they began to pop up at City Hall meetings to support Palestine. Most of them snapped their fingers furiously when their comrades would speak, sometimes simultaneously with rapid head nods. I never observed this phenomenon in all my 54 years, and I have lived a full life.

I had to do some light research into the snappers. I found several websites that explain the snappers most always come in the form of social justice activists. But snapping has been a thing for quite a long time, according to a SimpleMost blog.

“This quiet signal of agreement is not new; the form of recognition spans back centuries ago,” the blog reports. “Historians debate where snapping originated or when it began replacing clapping in specific cultures. Some attribute the rhythmic movement to the Ancient Romans’ theatrical performances. In addition to snapping, Romans would raise their handkerchiefs or flap their togas to show their appreciation. The subtle statement didn’t disrupt performer’s scenes and gave viewers enough time to show their amusement.

“In the 1950s, beatnik poets — who fought against social conformity and the publishing industry — evolved in the NYC scene. Among these groups of poets were revolutionary figures like Allen Ginsberg and Gary Snyder, who performed in popular coffee shop basements such as the renowned Gaslight Cafe. Noise complaints ultimately forced performers to start snapping instead of clapping.”

Cell phones prompt snapping

You also cannot hold a cell phone and take video, like many activists do, and clap at the same time. I have my phone set up so when I shake it the selfie camera opens. I can understand the snapping in the context of holding the cell phone. It makes perfect sense.

That said, the snapping is associated with a certain political persuasion. When I was homeless, there was a social worker I did not get along with. We were politically dissimilar and neither of us was particularly considerate of the other person’s viewpoint. Many years later, after I received treatment for my psychosis and was no longer homeless, I ran across this person again. She was snapping in appreciation of a liberal cause. I thought, “What the hell is she doing?”

A liberal’s unity call

But now I understand. It is a liberal’s symbol of unison. Describes one Redditor, Brad 311, “It's a mating call for social justice types. It often goes like this: Someone makes a virtue-signaling speech. Fellow (social justice warriors) snap to not only applaud but also to signal they're an SJW too. They give each other the look of reaffirming each other as comrades.”

Brad 311 goes on to explain that he attends Berkeley and witnessed an entire class snapping. “It was really weird. It seems to be reserved for only responding to pro-social justice stuff, never normal performances, speeches, etc.”

Said another redditor whose name had been deleted: “People think that they are fancy by doing this in inappropriate situations.”

Aurora snappers become unruly

That is the context in which I have witnessed the snapping as well. Snapping is prohibited at Aurora City Council meetings, per the “Public Invited to be Heard” rules set by the mayor, but the pro-Palestine and other social justice advocates all snap away anyway.

People at Aurora council meetings seldom follow the rules during public invited to be heard. For several weeks in a row, the council has had to flee the chambers and recess into a virtual meeting after public comment period became unruly. Snappers are among the fiercest activists.

Have the snappers caught your attention? Do you think it's polite to snap?Leave your thoughts in the comments. We’ll talk.