What Happens After the Black Lives Matter Movement “Dies” on Social Media?
The past few weeks, for many of us, have been filled with turmoil and grief due to various racial attacks and tragic events in our community, and globally. I have been exposed to new levels of ignorance and sheer injustice, whether it be through the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. In my own community, I witnessed a senior at my former high school being punished for posting racially insensitive TikToks, and members of a fraternity at my college, New York University, being punished for writing extremely offensive messages about the African American community and the Black Lives Matter movement. All of that being said, this is not new news to me or anyone. Racial injustices have been occurring since the beginning of time — people have just started to film them, and/or bring them to light.
The media exposing police brutality on film has given rise to more advocacy towards the Black Lives Matter movement, and more resources such as petitions, numbers to call, and fundraisers. Don’t get me wrong — all of these things are extremely helpful to the current situation, and meaningful ways to spearhead change in our community. I have signed multiple petitions, sent emails to law enforcement to demand justice, and have donated to various fundraisers. However, what will happen to the Black Lives Matter movement after the “trend” dies on social media in a few weeks? Will those petitions still be receiving signatures at the same force? Will the fundraisers still receive steady donations?
The most probable answer is no, and that’s because people generally tend to support social causes more when they are brought to light in the news or on social media. Granted, this is understandable due to increased awareness, but all of us know that systematic racism is perpetual in society, whether it’s shown in the media or not — no African American individual needs to be violently murdered for anyone to understand that. After the Black Lives Matter movement “dies down” on social media, we still have the moral obligation to not only respect members of the African American community, but uplift them through our words and actions. However, the reality is that in today’s day and age, only worrying about your own words and actions is simply not enough.
The fact is that not everyone actively advocates for the Black community and takes personal steps to protect them in their everyday life. I’m a strong believer that ignorance is a result of a lack of education and the individuals who still choose to say racial slurs and believe that police brutality against African Americans is justified in any way are simply lacking education in the topic. In all honesty, it is very difficult to change the justice system if there is a large percentage of people who are still “casually” racist. After the Black Lives Matter movement has slowly diminished, we should actively practice anti-racism with ourselves and others — longstanding change is what the country needs right now.
The two parts of actively practicing anti-racism are: 1) holding ourselves and others accountable for words and actions, and 2) being willing to educate ourselves and others. Don’t be afraid to speak out against anti-black rhetoric, even if they seem “insignificant” in the larger scale of things (it is significant). In most cases, people still use the N-word because they don’t know the connotation and history behind it. I remember in eighth grade, my Language Arts teacher, before starting the book “to Kill a Mockingbird,” spent an entire period teaching us thirteen-year-olds about the history of the N-word and how its presence in the book doesn’t give us a “free pass” to use it at any point in our lives. She was correct in initiating these “difficult topics” with us at such a young age; I still remember some of the things she said word-from-word because her talk resonated with me so deeply.
Educate yourself on the history of the word, and if you did use it in the past, stop doing so. If you do know that using the word in any circumstance or situation is unacceptable, speak out when you hear others using it. It doesn’t matter if they’re your friend, an acquaintance, or even a stranger — no one should be scared to stand up for the right reasons. Every time that you remain silent when the word is said, implies the message that you condone its usage. In any case, but especially this one, silence is complacency.
As for the willingness to educate, it is necessary to share our knowledge of the Black Lives Matter movement to others who genuinely might not know, or don’t care enough to put it into practice — racism is taught, and it’s our responsibility to unteach. The next time someone makes a racist comment on social media, instead of blocking them, reach out to them and provide them with the resources to educate themselves. Instead of publicly exposing them as a racist, privately talk to them about why they believe what they do, and engage in an informative conversation with them about why they should believe differently. “Canceling” people in today’s world is not a solution to becoming an anti-racist society. The fact is that it’s easier to change the beliefs of a teenager or young adult than a 60-year-old individual who has lived their whole life believing and acting on their racist values. While I fully acknowledge that some people, even after education, might be unwilling to change, we must at least initiate the conversation for those who need it.
Along with educating people comes opening up safe spaces to talk about people’s own experiences, previously or currently held beliefs, and how to be upstanders towards the Black community. It can be awkward and uncomfortable to have those “difficult” conversations, but the truth is that those conversations are the ones worth having. For people to even consider changing their beliefs, non-judgmental safe spaces for conversation are required — progress and change are what matter, in the grand scheme of things. Therefore, when you feel the need to talk to someone about their opinions, either be that safe space for them or guide them towards the resources that can provide a safe space for them. Ultimately, conversation with our peers and loved ones sparks growth, change, and emotional healing — things we all need.
Change starts at home, and we have to actively work towards ourselves and others to cure the disease of anti-blackness that is entrenched in our country. It doesn’t start and end with the cops — it starts with us too. So yes, you can post the black screens, hashtag #BLM, and reshare graphics to your stories. However, picture this: It’s two years from now, and the COVID-19 pandemic has ended for good. You’re walking around your college campus, barely remembering the traumatic events of 2020 when one of your close friends casually utters a racial slur in conversation or makes a racially offensive claim. Will you still speak up, or will you be complacent?
You can find a comprehensive list of resources for education and ways to actively advocate for the Black Lives Matter movement here: https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/1pLof1quYFbFEJ3nF9Hbq_TBFkwtSagucFwjXJb5Gsrw/mobilebasic