This post will perhaps be the most somber Betsy Bash blog ever, and for a very good reason. Today we will talk about a movement that has lit a fire in the nation and the hearts of each of the Betsy Babes; the Black Lives Matter movement. In particular, we will investigate the role in which social media has played in starting and keeping the flame of righteous anger lit across the country.
#BlackLivesMatter
It would be hard to believe that anyone alive in the year 2021 has not heard about the Black Lives Matter movement, but you may not know the names of those who started it or when it all began. The #BlackLivesMatter originated in 2013 by three revolutionary black activists, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, in response to George Zimmerman’s acquittal. On Feb. 26, 2012, George shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin while Trayvon was walking in the neighborhood where his father lived in Sanford, Florida. A jury acquitted George of all criminal charges on July 13, 2013. This failure of justice lit the flame for #BlackLivesMatter to be used and grow into the political and social movement we know today. In the words of the Black Lives Matter herstory page, “Black Lives Matter is an ideological and political intervention in a world where Black lives are systematically and intentionally targeted for demise. It is an affirmation of Black folks’ humanity, our contributions to this society, and our resilience in the face of deadly oppression.”
On July 13th, 2013, Alicia Garza posts a status to her Facebook page containing the phrase “Black Lives Matter.” Then, Patrice Cullors read this post and replied with the first instance of #BlackLivesMatter. The movement began slowly and then gained momentum after the murders of Micheal Brown and Eric Garner in 2014. After the death of George Floyd in May 2020, the movement sparked national and global protests. So how did social media fuel this call for justice?
Social Media’s Involvement
Social media can spread information and news faster than any other medium in history. Many people don’t tune in to the nightly news and even less read the newspaper. According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2019, 72% of the American population regularly uses social media, and the number is continuing to rise. Given the direct and conversational aspect of social media, information travels fast and freely. When George Floyd was murdered in 2020, the videos of his death surfaced and circulated among all social media platforms putting the undeniable evidence of police brutality in the palm of each of our hands. Because of the instant ability to share the news with all your friends and followers, people who wouldn’t necessarily be aware can’t escape the knowledge of current events.
In addition to allowing information to spread quickly, social media platforms provide an easy way to gather, show support, and align with a cause. Following the hashtag, Black Lives Matter, or its pages will allow you to stay up-to-date regarding protests, campaigns, and news. This ease of involvement allows even those who may not be able to join a protest or donate financially to a cause to feel like a part of a movement.
In 2020, #BlackLivesMatter was the second-most tweeted hashtag behind #COVID19. And, do you remember Blackout Tuesday last summer? Blacked out profile pictures, backgrounds, and posts flooded social media pages as millions of people showed their virtual support of Black Lives and the importance of Black Culture. It was beautiful to see so many people want to align with the demand for justice. Due to the usage of #BlackLivesMatter alongside the #BlackOutTuesday, the rows of blacked out photos drowned out important news, information, and posts regarding the actions being taken for the Black Lives Matter movement. This reveals the double-edged sword of political and social activism on social media.
Social platforms provide the largest bullhorn to rally allied people against injustice and violence. “But while most Americans believe these platforms are an effective tool for raising awareness and creating sustained movements, majorities also believe they are a distraction and lull people into believing they are making a difference when they’re not,” according to a new Pew Research Center survey. Retweeting, sharing, and posting about Black Lives Matter is vital to keep information and awareness of the systemic racism in our country, but it isn’t enough to make lasting change. It’s essential to get involved in any way you can, protest, call representatives, donate, and have real-life conversations with people who don’t understand the severity of the issues.
#KeepSayingTheirNames
The ability for a movement to stay present in social media conversation is how progress will be made. Protests aren’t happening every weekend anymore, and there has been a positive change made in the collective American mind, but the fight isn’t over. It is vital to the Black Lives Matter movement that we, social media users, continue the conversation. Keep the hashtag Black Lives Matter alive, keep saying the names of those killed by police brutality, and keep marching for justice in every way possible.