The Recent Changes In Social Media
How social media and storytelling has changed since the death of George Floyd and the growing support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Social media has been different this week, and I am sure all of you have noticed, too. It is no longer a topic that can be ignored or pushed away. It must be heard, understood and listened to.
The Black Lives Matter movement and organization was established in 2013 and has been speaking out about racism, raising money and spreading awareness of their mission ever since.
Every time police brutality takes another innocent Black person’s life, this organization speaks up for justice. Since 2013, there have been countless murders of Black people at the hands of the police.
The most recent casualty is George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man from Minneapolis. Floyd was murdered by a white police officer who knelt on his neck for almost 9 minutes, essentially suffocating and killing him while Floyd cried out for help and begged for his life.
Since his death, millions of people — not only across America, but across the world — have begun protesting police brutality, racism and violence while calling for justice for all Black people who have lost their lives due to these issues. Ever since this movement began, my social media has changed, and for the better.
My Instagram used to be filled with pictures of friends laying on beaches, family members on vacation, selfies with pets and more.
It is now filled with inspirational quotes, information on the Black Lives Matter movement, protest details, links to pages where you can donate to these causes and information on how you can educate yourself on these issues.
My Twitter used to be filled with lots of jokes, funny pictures and people quoting their favorite song lyrics. Now it is filled with my friends sharing articles on protests, videos of police attacking peaceful protesters and petition links to arrest police officers who have committed acts of violence against unarmed, cooperating or innocent Black people.
I have been very involved in this movement and can speak upon it for hours at a time. But the main thing that I have noticed through this change in social media postings is the way that Black people’s stories are being told. It is the true art of mobile storytelling that is helping and pushing this movement toward their goals.
Protesters everywhere are able to record and take pictures with their cellphone. They are able to keep the rest of the world updated on what is going on around them as it occurs. It is a form of storytelling that is helping to share Black people’s stories.
I have been able to learn and listen to Black people across the country who have been brave enough to share their stories, emotions and thoughts on the current state of our country.
With the continued support of people around the globe, the determined spirit of protesters and the use of mobile storytelling, I believe our country will face a reform. We will not give up until justice is served, people are held accountable for their actions, Black people are listened to and our overall country will finally face these issues.
