Much of the success of social media as a concept and brand is in its democratic and uninhibited capacity for self-determination in each user's self-presentation and creation. The internet as a tool of communication affords a degree of anonymity, foregoing many of the inhibitions that restrict the real-life expression of certain beliefs and opinions. Furthermore, elements of the online experience allow for individuals to coalesce irrespective of physical location and coordinate their communication according to shared elements of identity, in this case, racial.
One of the major social media networks is Twitter - a micro-blogging site that allows for quick and simple communication of words, videos and images. At this stage however, it might be important to consider that due to Twitter's 'follower' scheme, all communication is by definition, presented principally to one group of people who likely share certain identities or views. Twitter is also perhaps the most significant large social media network in terms of self-presentation as there is some room for liberty and fantasy. Consequently, Twitter has become a vast platform for the African-American community known colloquially as 'Black Twitter' who discuss a myriad of issues, presenting voices to each other and, to a lesser extent, members outside of their community.
Separatism
The idea of Black twitter is also clearly a source of pride for its members who are able to exist free from the restrictions of proportionately white societies around them from which they feel oppressed and alienated. They promote the music and art of African-Americans, they make memes and jokes using African-Americans. They idolise African-American celebrities like Beyonce. The promotion of any other racial group in a positive light is nowhere to be seen, and is perhaps actively discouraged by some members in the community. Seemingly, this is to try and make amends for ongoing oppression and cultural suppression of the African American community. This is best explained by African-American writer Kirsten West Savali..."celebrating black pride is celebrating one's heritage, strength, and ability to overcome in spite of a society that's worked so hard to keep them down. ... [celebrating whiteness] is celebrating privilege,"
What is perhaps most striking about this community is the seemingly uniform nature of its consensus on key issues. Perhaps this is because of the separatist elements of African-American identity that have emerged in their twitter culture. Generally, it seems that white opinion is ignored, (or treated with scorn if it counters 'Black twitter') unless the white person's opinion fully reflects that of Black twitter, in which case it is met with something resembling indifference. Overall, the tone is one of exclusion as Black Twitter becomes a source of racial pride for its members who seem overwhelmingly in favour of the communities existence. Not only is this community exclusive in terms of its accepted political views and its racial prerequisites, it is known for its potency in retribution should it be met with a different viewpoint or even worse, a genuinely immoral viewpoint.
In advocating its own exclusivity, we might say that Black Twitter isolates itself from a large population of its own racial membership - those black people who do not agree with the black lives matter movement for example, or that significant portion that voted for Trump in 2016. Isolated from the centuries of relevant history from which something like Black twitter might materialise - its content is unmistakably racist and ethnically absolutist. However, it is of course morally impossible to isolate it from the aforementioned context, therefore it is up to each individual to form their own opinion on the separatist thrust of Black twitter.
It is also key to note that Black separatism is not new and has consistently been a fixture of African-American protest. It has however, perhaps been amplified in the online sphere within which speaking exclusively to members of your own community is easier than ever, with a whole new series of ideological and real-world implications.
Resentment
As we might expect, a focal point for the political message of Black twitter stems from its resentment of racism and oppression - generally directed at the white community in its entirety through a blend of humour and serious outrage.
One particular example is the idea of reverse-racism - the notion that a black person can hold prejudiced feelings or discriminate racially against a white person. The consensus of Black twitter is that reverse racism does not exist and is theoretically impossible based on the fact that historically, white people have been the oppressor of black people.
Interesting too is the reaction of many white people to the aforementioned. In general, it seems that they find this material in just the same way as Black twitter and are more than happy to share or advocate messages that encourage separatism, along as they originate from the Black perspective and not their own.
Any negative reaction from a white person is generally treated with anger and incredulity. I have noticed a strong trend for members of black twitter in a position of power (i.e. they have a lot of followers or the tweet in question has been popular) to shut down any negative white reaction quickly and effectively after little to zero exchange of opinion or reason. This is usually done through the help of fellow Black twitter members or allies in the white community. In brief, the team mentality is very much alive.
Conclusions
If the anonymity and community-building elements of social media are to be seen as indicators of uninhibited truth and more honest or transparent self-expression - then the popularity of Black twitter is telling. Separatist policies are advocated (to an extent), mutual support is relentless and militancy is encouraged, as shown with anti-trump marches and rallies for the Black lives matter movement. Pride in the race is prized and there is a strong emphasis on modern African-American culture with seemingly zero references to traditional African cultures apart from during Black History Month.
Essentially, Black Twitter is a refuge as well as a weapon and it stands unapologetically for the destruction of racism - seemingly by any means possible. It enables the African-American community to find strength, drawing upon each other for support in a society that remains unequal.
Further Reading
https://www.dailydot.com/society/black-twitter-dr-goddess/
http://www.today.com/tech/its-black-twitterverse-white-people-only-live-it-394051
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/04/the-truth-about-black-twitter/390120/
Is Black Twitter an effective political tool? Does it harm or help the Black community offline? How might a white person fit into this dialogue? Can we justify Black Separatism in relation to its historical context?
One particular example is the idea of reverse-racism - the notion that a black person can hold prejudiced feelings or discriminate racially against a white person. The consensus of Black twitter is that reverse racism does not exist and is theoretically impossible based on the fact that historically, white people have been the oppressor of black people.
Interesting too is the reaction of many white people to the aforementioned. In general, it seems that they find this material in just the same way as Black twitter and are more than happy to share or advocate messages that encourage separatism, along as they originate from the Black perspective and not their own.Any negative reaction from a white person is generally treated with anger and incredulity. I have noticed a strong trend for members of black twitter in a position of power (i.e. they have a lot of followers or the tweet in question has been popular) to shut down any negative white reaction quickly and effectively after little to zero exchange of opinion or reason. This is usually done through the help of fellow Black twitter members or allies in the white community. In brief, the team mentality is very much alive.
Conclusions
If the anonymity and community-building elements of social media are to be seen as indicators of uninhibited truth and more honest or transparent self-expression - then the popularity of Black twitter is telling. Separatist policies are advocated (to an extent), mutual support is relentless and militancy is encouraged, as shown with anti-trump marches and rallies for the Black lives matter movement. Pride in the race is prized and there is a strong emphasis on modern African-American culture with seemingly zero references to traditional African cultures apart from during Black History Month.Essentially, Black Twitter is a refuge as well as a weapon and it stands unapologetically for the destruction of racism - seemingly by any means possible. It enables the African-American community to find strength, drawing upon each other for support in a society that remains unequal.
Further Reading
https://www.dailydot.com/society/black-twitter-dr-goddess/
http://www.today.com/tech/its-black-twitterverse-white-people-only-live-it-394051
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/04/the-truth-about-black-twitter/390120/
Is Black Twitter an effective political tool? Does it harm or help the Black community offline? How might a white person fit into this dialogue? Can we justify Black Separatism in relation to its historical context?
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