Social Media and the People of Colour
Social Media has become a part of everybody’s lives, be it in the form of zoom meetings or various apps that adolescents use. There is room for all on social media and there seems to be an obligation to be a part of it, a necessity almost. It is not unknown that social media has consumed our lives and can have a tremendous effect on us, both positive and negative. Social media influences how we think, feel and behave in more ways than one.
The evil seed of racism has been instilled in this world for a long time and has rung its ring loudly. People of colour struggle with racism daily and this has a very deep impact on their mental health. In this age of the internet, as more people have come to be a part of it, people of colour have also found their place on it. Not only do they deal with racial discrimination in real life, but they also find themselves facing it online. While there is a myriad of issues that they struggle with, there is also a sense of community that they have built on social media.
Social Media & racial discrimination
An Online Community
Social media platforms serve as outlets for discussions on social issues and political engagements. Sometimes, social media is what initiates major social movements. In the year 2020, when the murder of George Floyd by a racist police officer was posted on social media, it led to protests all over the United States of America and different countries of the world. Social Media speeds up the way information is spread and how it affects us. If this was not the case, then the Black Lives Matter movement may have never reached us, or it may have never made such a large impact.
It is also often found that people of colour are more likely to use their platforms for political activism. They find social media important and effective for awareness and discussion, and they express positive sentiments towards it. They are more likely to find numerous people who share their views and truly understand them. Students are finding it easier to talk about racial prejudice and incidents of discrimination that they face in educational or organizational institutions. They are participating in multiple movements and opening up about their stories.
Research shows that online activism may encourage people to protest offline. Various ethnic groups agree that social media helps highlight issues that are otherwise overlooked and gives a voice to underrepresented or minority groups.
On Twitter, race-related posts, discussions, personal experiences and pop-culture references, etc., have gained traction, forming a sense of community online.
We also see Hispanic and black therapists talk about working and accessing support and empowerment in fields that are dominated by whites. This includes engagement on popular apps like TikTok, which have shown to be essential topics of discussion, in terms of recognizing and fighting the prejudice against people of colour. There is an ever-increasing need for therapists and psychologists that can represent other communities of colour including Asian, Latin and indigenous communities, and that can help reduce the stigma around receiving mental health care.
Posts, reels and influencers online who discuss racism and empower the people that watch them have proven to be extremely beneficial. It makes people of colour feel heard and provides them with a community they didn't know they could have, and strengthens them in their endeavours to interact with the world.
Influence of social media on our perception of the race
The Black Lives Matter Movement awakened a lot of ethnic communities to make sure their voices were heard and it also encouraged people of different races to be each others’ allies. It contributed to more struggle, activism and the desire to get more involved and use social media platforms among people of colour to raise awareness. Racism against Asians and Indians also came to light and was spoken about widely.
Individuals from multiple communities, races and various parts of the world have taken time out to support and unlearn racist tendencies that had been instilled within them by older generations, correct their mistakes and dismantle stereotypes. A single social movement has the power to awaken so many people and motivate them to generate more awareness, be mindful of their actions and stand up to those around them who aren’t.
The influence of social media has been powerful and vast, generating a ripple effect throughout the world. It has individually affected the mental health of millions of coloured people, their thoughts, feelings and actions. While the battle of stopping people from spreading hate against coloured individuals online continues, we cannot ignore the positive impact it has made. Social Media has informed us of the scope for growth and change the world holds.
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