RACISM ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Can a White Billionaire Really Destroy Black Twitter? Only Time Will Tell
It’s a little early to write a eulogy for Black Twitter
Elon Musk, the wealthiest man in the world, is attempting to secure a deal to buy Twitter for 44 billion dollars. When the news hit, many users felt dread in the pit of their stomachs. Because of Musk’s all-or-nothing approach to free speech, many fear his takeover will lead to racist, sexist, homophobic, and otherwise hateful speech returning to the platform en masse. As a result, thousands left the platform, many following behind some high-profile Twitter accounts. One journalist even prophesized the end of Black Twitter. But, I have my doubts about that eulogy.
For one, White men founded Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and even MySpace. These platforms are primarily owned and operated by White, wealthy, privileged men, and users have systematically used these platforms to peddle racism in the name of free speech. Although, to be fair, social media companies have made efforts to curtail some hate speech, none of these platforms are bigotry free. A study showed Black women are the most likely to endure harassment and abuse online, and this study included Twitter. My point is that White men owning platforms is nothing new. Do people honestly think Black people created black Twitter with the support or permission of social media moguls? That’s not how it went down.
In the beginning, Black Millenials came together, drawn to a digital space, sharing bits of music, history, modern and past injustices, cultural content, and mountains of inside jokes, memes, and unapologetic self-expression. After Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin, and a jury found him “not guilty,” we collectively mourned. Black Twitter became an unofficial two-way news hub, reporting on stories major networks often failed to prioritize.
Movements like the #OscarsSoWhite helped culturally redefine American award shows' banal whiteness. And hashtags like #SayHerName ensured the community acknowledged the disproportionate amount of Black women lost to systemic racism. We learned about #SandraBland’s story, a woman we may have never known about if it weren’t for Black Twitter. And, of course, who could forget #BlackLivesMatter, a hashtag that’s changed the world or at least earnestly tried to “bend the moral arc of the universe towards justice.”
White people can’t destroy Black Twitter because we never created it with the blessing of White people.
Even Black Twitter is prophesizing how Twitter could change under a Musk takeover. Using a scene from Family Matters, @sheistyler shared a scene where the door closes, and we can see a racial slur written, with the caption “Twitter next week with Elon Musk in charge.” While Black people would rather have a racism-free platform or one that tries to deter bigotry, I’m not sure if Black people will leave the platform in a mass exodus when Twitter changes ownership. Throughout American history, White people have harassed, abused, and even killed Black people because of racist beliefs. But, in my opinion, wicked, racist words are powerless to destroy the revolution.
Gil Scott-Heron’s poem seems especially relevant here, as it may describe the vibe of Black Twitter right about now:
Was all that money I made las’ year (for Whitey on the moon?) How come there ain’t no money here? (Hm! Whitey’s on the moon) Y’know I jus’ ‘bout had my fill (of Whitey on the moon) — Gil Scott-Heron
On Twitter, you will never find a special section displaying the words “Black Twitter,” because it’s an innovation of the Black community. Twitter never explicitly supported their efforts. Black people gathered due to the ease of communication and the town-hall feel. With Elon Musk buying the platform, some say things will change, but those Millenials who remember Black Twitter from the beginning know it’s an unbeatable force.
Now, will some Black people leave the platform? Yes, they will, and that’s understandable. We’re not a monolith, and folks will feel differently about this. But, for Millenials who helped create “Black Twitter,” I don’t see us collectively relenting because a different White person is taking the reigns. Remember, hiding racism doesn’t make it disappear; it only coddles our society into believing we’re more civilized and more kind than we are. And how does that help us? We can’t fix the problem by putting lipstick on a pig.
Personal racism is pervasive online, but the idea of White trolls bullying Black Twitter into oblivion is pretty comical at this point. Even with Musk in charge, users will still have the right to mute and block. Black Twitter is a community, and while greenlighting racism will sting, I wouldn’t write any eulogies for Black Twitter yet. It may take a few months or years to see what the future holds. In the meantime, Black Twitter is alive and kicking, circulating hot tea, memes, and well wishes for all to enjoy.
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