A still from the video made by two Manly videographers about the hashtag. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

He believes the whole hashtag movement “is a typical pathetic left wing black armband brigade campaign, casting Aussies as racists who will endanger Muslims.”

And he’s certainly not the only one.

While they might not have used the same choice words, many commentators have criticised #illridewithyou, calling it patronising and narcissistic, and suggesting it creates fear in the community over attacks that are in fact not a reality.

The important thing to remember though is the reason this all began.

On the night of December 15, people across Australia were looking for a way to express their deep shock at the horrifying events taking place inside the Lindt cafe where up 17 hostages were being held by a madman.

Rachael Jacobs was one of those people. As she scanned for information on the siege while sitting on the train, she noticed a Muslim woman removing her headscarf.

At the next station, Ms Jacobs felt compelled to reach out to the young lady and let her know she had a friend.

She then posted about her experience on her private Facebook page, which was shared by her friends and so a hashtag was born.

A still from the video made by two Manly videographers about #illridewithyou. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

There wasn’t any “left wing” motivation behind it. It wasn’t even meant to be a “campaign”.

It was simply an honest moment, and an honest sentiment, and to wrap a political agenda around it because Ms Jacobs happens to have been a Greens party candidate at one time is preposterous.

As Ms Jacobs told The Brisbane Times, “perhaps the story was then shared widely because it represented what so many people felt in their heart.”

She’s right.

At a time when people were searching for a way to express their grief, anger, disbelief, sadness and confusion, a social collective offered an option. The fact that it was picked up so quickly and amassed such a vehement following is testament to that.

Was it the best possible option? Probably not. But it’s a hell of a lot better than the direction the social tide could have turned.

Some commentators claim that #illridewithyou “doesn’t aim to resolve the broader issue of anti-Muslim discrimination and xenophobia in the Australian community”.

True, but that’s a lot to demand from a hashtag.

Those who retweeted the #illridewithyou sentiment were doing so to show they cared. Not because they honestly believed Muslims on public transport needed protection or for any other sinister motivation. They were doing it because they felt helpless at a time of suffering and they wanted to unite.

Do we all have a responsibility to make sure that sentiment moves beyond symbolism and has a practical impact?

Yes, but in some ways it already has. As this and this prove.

Continue the conversation with Melissa on twitter.