If you've been a user of Twitter for any extended period of time than you know that trending topics are the "what's happening and when" of the popular social network. Trends include hot topics about what everyone is watching (Grammys) to the major news of the moment (Egypt). But more and more, certain topics are sounding like something picked from a round-table discussion at the family reunion. For example, #blackparentquotes or #ifsantawasblack. Subjects that appear to be created by and targeted toward African-Americans have become so frequent that they were given a nickname, "black tags". But why are #blacktags so popular you may ask?
Well, a recent article on rollingout.com cited a study from Edison Research's Annual Report saying...
Although black people comprise about 12 percent of the general population, they account for 25 percent of the population of users on Twitter. As a consequence, they tend to follow celebrities and post more trending topics. On Twitter, for example, young blacks follow more people, retweet more often, and reply to posts more frequently causing certain topics to rise in popularity that have nothing to do with breaking news or information.
Since this report, many articles have sprouted up online condemning Twitter's black culture for their lack of "consciousness" with regard to trending topics, and suggest that users are in need of a wake-up call. Indeed there are many opportunities made available through the use of social media and there is something powerful to be said about the influence of black culture on Twitter. However, though 25% might start a topic, its not enough to keep it going if no one else catches on. Nonetheless, many are saying African-American users are not taking advantage of their wide influence.
Trending topics like #ghettobabynames have become the norm, but what many don't realize is that social media can often provide a safe space for hate, where bigomists, racists and the like can promote their values without reprimand. And they do. Many of these individuals use racially aimed TT's, that were perhaps intended for comedy, as ammunition for their corrupt values. Discussing the differences between black and white parents might be of normal comedic conversation between friends, but when broadcast to millions of users without understanding of the context, the conversation and the message becomes diluted and can get lost fairly quickly. I had to learn this the hard way.
But while the topics on twitter largely consist of subjects representing an unfavorable depiction of black culture, I have to disagree that African-Americans aren't at all using their voice on twitter for ANY good. Afterall, it was their voice that led the social media campaign to bring back yet another wrongfully canceled black sitcom "The Game" after two years off the air. Other more positive topics that have trended include #mlkday to commemorate Martin Luther King's birthday and #unsung a TV show honoring black superstars who's stories were never told. Ultimately, they are using their influence to raise awareness about subjects that otherwise would not reach beyond the consciousness of African-Americans. However, I believe that this is only scratching the surface. The more positively skewed topics that do become trends lack the depth of other trending topics related to socio-political issues, and trend far less often. There is so much more good that can done and my hope is that black users begin to utilize their influence to bring about positive changes.
The issue with this mission, is that for one, how does Twitter determine the ethnicity of their users? It isn't requested when signing up for account. I only assume by the nature of the content that the trending topics are started by a black person, but how can this be proven? Furthermore, users would need to be on one accord to spread knowledge about what's going on in black communities across the US and worldwide. But the truth of the matter is that social media has different uses and gratifications for different people. Some use Twitter to get news and information about the world around them, while others use it to spread information. And then are those who have less strategic uses for Twitter and simply view it as a leisure activity. And any user can employ a variety of motives for Twitter use at any time. So, I guess my question is how does this change occur?
Yes, the foolishness needs to stop, but will it? Who knows.
What are your thoughts?
Dear Beautiful Lamb,
ReplyDeleteI would like to start off by saying your writing and coverage is impeccable. Thank you for sharing topics that are influential, trendy and thought provoking!! Keep them coming. This blog caught my attention. Until I read this article, I was completely oblivious to the statistical data and behaviors of the African American culture in regards to them using/how they use, social media. I believe unless they’re being taught to do better, their knowledge will keep declining. African Americans have so much influential power, but its sad to say that they re unknowledgeable of how much power they actually posses...,People such as Dr Martin Luther King , and The Black Panthers, were just one man, one group-, led millions of people, plenty generations and affected multiple cultures. Just think, most if not all of these movements were accomplished without the use of social/electronic media! Because we were able to climb on the backs of our ancestors, we now have the access, and the capability to reach out to multitudes of people: in various countries and at top speeds. Why must my people continue to feed into and support degrading, meaningless behavior , conversations , and socially constructed stereotypes,! Why can’t my people get it together!
To answer your question, “how does the (p change occur?” How do we bring about positive changes? it occurs by first wanting the positive change, and then living as positive people, with positive motives, and behaviors. I think individuals are a result of their environment from which they share information. Then again, how will someone know whether their environment is “positive?”
Thank you so much for your positive feedback and insight! It's comments like these that remind me why I have this blog. And I totally agree, it all starts with an individual and a desire to be better. I hope we can see some positive changes. Happy to provide some food for thought. Thank you again!
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