The Beautiful and Ugly Side of Social Media
Jaclyn Hill’s emotional youtube video call for action against cyberbullying.
There is a lot of work that goes into creating online makeup tutorials, that many people, like trolls, do not understand. Those who create these online makeup tutorials deserve respect for their hard work. Everyday, thousands of online makeup gurus receive online hate messages on their youtube channels. And Jaclyn Hill, who has almost 3 million fans subscribers and an average of a million views on each of her videos, is one of the many influential makeup gurus online who is taking a stand against negativity and bullying. Hill, who is known for whipping out a makeup brush or a new lip gloss, surprises her viewers with a youtube video that is unlike anything she has ever done before by addressing the issue of cyberbullying head on.
In Hills Youtube video, “Trying To Make A Change | Late Night Thoughts,” she talks about the need for a positive change after reading thousands of negative and hurtful comments on her your videos on her Youtube channel.
“I feel like a lot of people forget that I have blood in my veins,” Hill says in the video. “I cry when I’m sad, I bleed when I get cut, and I’m a real person.”
Hill also points out that it isn’t just the negative comments left on her videos that are directed at her that is making her “afraid” of her YouTube channel. She reveals that she has considered disabling comments for two of her videos for the first time in her Youtube career due to the online harassment and negativity between those who comment on her videos. Hill has observed from reading her comments that her loyal subscribers are jumping down each other’s throats in defense for her by name calling each other behind a keyboard. Pleaing for peace, Hill asks that commenters stop and consider their motivations before typing negative comments, because “it has nothing to do with makeup.” Hill then asks that viewers use the comment section to build a place of acceptance, positivity, and empowerment.
“I just want to say this for my own peace of mind — please don’t think I am asking for pity, or playing a victim in any way. This is about how you guys interact with each other, not just me. I just want to see women respect and encourage each other.” — says Jaclyn hill in her comment section of her video.
At over 12 minutes this video is worth watching in its entirety.
Given this positive community that Hill has strived to create and build, it is wonderful to see her taking a stand! In this day and age where it’s so easy to spread hate through social media behind a keyboard and at a click of a button, it’s important to remember that we’re all human, we all deserve respect and we all need to be mindful of what we say both on- and offline— no matter what you think about another person’s lipstick.
