Mentor/s
Professor David Luesink
Participation Type
Poster
Abstract
Social media can be a positive place where people around the world can share their stories and experiences. However, it is also a cesspool of negativity. One way this negativity has manifested itself is in the form of racism. Videos of police brutality against people of color are heavily prevalent on social media.
The killings are highly publicized, especially in recent years, and this publication has changed audience’s opinions about the police. Although incidents of police violence are shared through numerous platforms, such as newspapers and television news, social media has been the most recent and vital medium of sharing these incidents. For example, bodycam footage of Kim Potter mistaking her gun for a taser and killing Daunte Wright, a Black man, circulated social media and resulted in increased calls for police reform. The sharing of incidents of police violence against people of color is arguably a powerful tool of anti-racism.
Following the murder of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by police in May 2020, a video of his killing was posted on social media. Although disturbing and horrific, it was evidence that allowed the police officers involved to be held accountable. After this, social media users continued the pattern of spreading awareness of racism by posting videos and textual stories. They have also utilized social media platforms for creating accounts and threads where victims of racism can relate to one another.
Racism in social media has negative effects on society because witnessing police brutality negatively impacts students of color, movements in support of oppressed races are met with counter-protestors, social media makes it easier for racists to target people around the world, and users can anonymously send racist messages without repercussions. However, racism in social media can also bring about positive effects on society because it makes having discussions about sensitive topics like racism easier, provides a space for victims to share their experiences, and is a catalyst for social change.
College and Major available
Media Arts BA
Location
Digital Commons & West Campus 2nd Floor University Commons
Start Day/Time
4-28-2023 12:00 PM
End Day/Time
4-28-2023 2:00 PM
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.
How the Damage of Racism in Social Media Generates Social Activism
Digital Commons & West Campus 2nd Floor University Commons
Social media can be a positive place where people around the world can share their stories and experiences. However, it is also a cesspool of negativity. One way this negativity has manifested itself is in the form of racism. Videos of police brutality against people of color are heavily prevalent on social media.
The killings are highly publicized, especially in recent years, and this publication has changed audience’s opinions about the police. Although incidents of police violence are shared through numerous platforms, such as newspapers and television news, social media has been the most recent and vital medium of sharing these incidents. For example, bodycam footage of Kim Potter mistaking her gun for a taser and killing Daunte Wright, a Black man, circulated social media and resulted in increased calls for police reform. The sharing of incidents of police violence against people of color is arguably a powerful tool of anti-racism.
Following the murder of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by police in May 2020, a video of his killing was posted on social media. Although disturbing and horrific, it was evidence that allowed the police officers involved to be held accountable. After this, social media users continued the pattern of spreading awareness of racism by posting videos and textual stories. They have also utilized social media platforms for creating accounts and threads where victims of racism can relate to one another.
Racism in social media has negative effects on society because witnessing police brutality negatively impacts students of color, movements in support of oppressed races are met with counter-protestors, social media makes it easier for racists to target people around the world, and users can anonymously send racist messages without repercussions. However, racism in social media can also bring about positive effects on society because it makes having discussions about sensitive topics like racism easier, provides a space for victims to share their experiences, and is a catalyst for social change.
Students' Information
Jessica Fontaine, Media Arts Journalism major, Honors Student, 2023