Social Media + Racism = Impact

Written by: Aziah Toscano

Social media is an instant connection for all, across the globe. It has grown at such a high frequency rate becoming a platform for historical concerns, amplifying such a divide among communities. Social media acts as a tool to spread racism, hatred, harassment and much more. Such as:

Community hatred, it means with like minded individuals gathering to demoralize, dehumanize, and belittle others for reasons such as powerlessness, prejudice, carrying on traditions, and flat out ignorance; Posting without thinking means, which could very well stem from emotions causing one to react without being fully aware of their actions; Trolling means, the deliberate act of provoking others online. Using inflammatory and offensive language, verbal abuse. Living to just make others upset and angry.

Most of these acts are attacks of one’s physical characteristics and racist slurs. For instance I have an aunt that went viral on Instagram and the commentary took on a world of its own.

There is a Caucasian male, instagram name James.d.Molnar, of whom commented on my cousins stating they were meant for prison, they were being raised to commit crimes, among more nasty comments all because of the color of their skin and the way us as Blacks are stereotyped.

James' comment enraged many and became a debate. His page is now private, however, before he was able to privatize his page my family was able to see a glimpse of James’s life, and sadly his page displayed racism across the board. Attached you’ll find the response of my Uncle, of whom fathered the victimized children, my cousins.

Another illustration, January 6, 2021, the attack on the White House. Trump used social media as a platform. Ultimately, losing privileges to his Instagram account due to his hate speeches and the influence he had among the community promoting racism, which created such controversy among so many communities. Trump, too, utilized Twitter to promote the same.

A Brentwood CA resident of whom was a Trump supporter went as far to hang flags, Trump signs, and hung a mannequin in the form of Joe Biden from a noose. A noose in which stemmed from slavery, when Blacks were hung from trees and displayed for all to see as lesson to comply with the Masters laws.

Studies have proved these acts of racism lead to mental instability, hopelessness, insignificance, acceptance issues, depression, anxiety, alcoholism and drug abuse.

In conclusion, racism is very much alive on social media platforms. It is up to us as a whole to reverse as much damage as possible and promote equality, love, and peace.