#BlackLivesMatter
We’re doing something a little different with this edition of Tweets of the Week. Instead of our usual content, we wanted to raise awareness of the voices who are promoting the #BlackLivesMatter movement and showing their support for those fighting the injustice and inequality felt by many not just in the United States, but across the world. Racism isn’t just an issue isolated to one country. It’s present and systemic everywhere, and it’s time to change that.
The following is a list of tweets from YouTube creators using their platforms to stand in solidarity with those who are protesting and speaking out. Some are even attending protests and sharing images and video from them. We’re proud of all they’re doing, and we hope the activism continues.
Be the change you want, every day of your life
#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/bW50HAMoNw
— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) May 29, 2020
Marques Brownlee‘s tweet exemplifies the fact that racism doesn’t just come and go at the trending of a hashtag. It’s something Black people face on a regular basis, due to inequality, prejudice and false ideologies. As such, he works continuously to be a role model to those who watch him, to show Black viewers that they can be and do whatever they want, and that building up the community is just one of the ways supporters can help prop up the #BlackLivesMatter message.
Now is not the time to diminish the plight
I still can’t believe people wait for Black people to be outraged about Police Brutality and inequalities to speak about the inequalities they face.
How much must you hate your own people that you don’t fight for them until it’s time to minimise another group’s plight?
Damn
— Nego True 🇿🇼 (@NegoTrue) May 31, 2020
Nego True brought up a good point, surrounding a trend that occurs whenever Black people speak up about the brutality they face at the hands of the police. Many use this time to bring up other issues that they would not normally discuss, therefore diminishing the plight of those fighting for the equality that has long been overdue.
Confront racism head on
Your racist relative, who you’re always mentioning, is not on Twitter. Tell them how you feel to their faces. Text, call, or email them about how you’re standing with the black community. Don’t allow them to disassociate. Make your allyship known to those who need to see it most.
— Eugene Lee Yang (@EugeneLeeYang) May 31, 2020
Eugene Lee Yang makes a good point with this tweet. Oftentimes, we find ourselves calling out those who will not see our posts, as they don’t have social media. This type of activism is not effective. Instead, stand up for your beliefs and inform in-person those around you with racist ideologies that not only is their behaviour unacceptable, but wrong and incredibly hurtful. Being an ally is about being vocal.
Make them listen
at the end of the day my point is dont even bother arguing with anybody. if it gets them mad then bet. keep making them mad so they cant look away anymore.
— nathan zed (@NathanZed) May 30, 2020
We agree with this statement Nathan Zed shared. There are many who want to ignore the protests that are occurring and the messages behind them. One way to prevent this happening is to, as Nathan says, make “them mad so they cant look away anymore”. No one should be turning a blind eye to what’s happening.
Raising money for a good cause
Wooop!! We just raised over £1,000 in under one hour for the amazing LoveLand foundation that helps black women and girls!!🤍🤍🤍🤍
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO TUNED INTO THE Black Lives Matter fundraiser INSTAGRAM LIVE!! https://t.co/uzgPPPXKo2 pic.twitter.com/hnuHhWeFoI
— Vee 🎓 (@Veekativhu) May 31, 2020
On 31 May, Varaidzo Kativhu held an Instagram LIVE chat, where she and two friends discussed the many facets of what’s occurring and why everyone should care. The chat also doubled as a fundraiser, with the three raising over £1,000 for the Loveland Foundation, which works to empower Black females.
Cultural appropriation
qWHITE interesting how the least outraged/outspoken people seem to be the ones who most often appropriate black culture huh
so you can invest in black culture but not black lives???
— Jack Edwards (@jackbenedwards) May 29, 2020
Jack Edwards has a point. It’s been incredibly disheartening to see all those who turn their backs on those fighting for #BlackLivesMatter, despite having culturally appropriated much of Black culture. In fact, it’s more than disheartening. It’s disgusting. It’s outrageous. It’s beyond words.
Don’t detract attention from the Black community
by doing this you’re only detracting the attention away from the matter at hand, which is black people
— tolu duckworth (@duckwhaaat) May 31, 2020
This is something we’ve noticed heavily throughout the current social media coverage of the protests and activism. While it’s great that everyone is coming together, it should be noted that by focussing the narrative on non-Black creators and people detracts from the real message that’s trying to be shared. Tolu Duckworth is right in that we should be allowing Black voices to rise at this time.
Voices need to be heard
All of you people saying that these riots aren’t the answer had no solutions when people were creating hashtags, protesting civilly and filming injustice to hold you accountable. If you were silent then plz put yourself on vocal rest now. Or speak out against racism! Periodt.
— Todrick Hall (@todrick) May 30, 2020
Todrick Hall is vocalising what many are thinking at the moment. Now is the time to speak out against systemic racism and stand in solidarity with those who are protesting, not to criticise how they’re going about it.
Be loud
black people are not TOO loud. society is just too quiet.
— suli #uosb (@sulibreaks) May 29, 2020
There’s a tendency for society to remain quiet on social issues, something Suli Breaks makes note of in this tweet. For real change to happen, we need to be more vocal and fight for what we believe in. As many have said, silence is complicity.
Question who you work with
if you work in entertainment and think talking about the current police brutality situation is going to "affect deals with brands" then you need to question the type of people / brands you're collaborating with.
— the fresh prince (@EmanKellam) May 28, 2020
Eman Kellam is right to call out those who are remaining silent out of fear they’ll lose out on brand deals and other monetary opportunities. 1) If this is a genuine fear you have, then reconsider the companies you are working with. 2) Money isn’t important. People’s lives are.
So there you have it…
How just some creators are using their platforms to raise awareness about the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the inequality Black people face on a daily basis. We’re proud to see so many standing up for the cause, and we hope the support continues.
Those wishing to more about learn how to donate or become active in the movement can do so via this resource.
Update 02 June 2020: At the request of Lex Croucher, we have removed her tweet regarding the #BlackLivesMatter movement to instead raise the voice of a Black creator. In its place, we shared a tweet from Todrick Hall.
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