This archive report was first published on 25 June 2020.
Published on June 25, 2020, by Elsie Eyakuze, this article delves into the impact of social media on the Black Lives Matter movement.
As the world grapples with the aftermath of the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement, it's essential to acknowledge the gruesome arc of African-American history that led to this pivotal moment.
Despite the World Health Organisation's advisories on mental health, the author immersed herself in news coverage to prepare for this article, bearing witness to the horror of institutional racism.
Emmett Till's mother, Mamie Till, knew the importance of bearing witness. When her son was lynched in 1955, she left his body unburied for an extended period, allowing those who could to witness his mutilated body and be enraged.
Before the rise of social media, news anchors' calm delivery and content warnings made chaos seem less frightening. However, social media has bridged the distance between the viewer and the subject, making it impossible to ignore the reality of systemic aggression.
The Internet is flooded with videos of African-Americans being beaten and killed, and the record of marches, protests, and leaders calling for fair treatment is well-documented.
What racist killers and police didn't expect was that technology could be used by citizens against them. The #BLM movement has set in motion a global response, and it may be one of the defining moments of our collective history.
As we continue the conversation about the US, built on blood, it's essential to ask: Is there a conversation we're not having amongst ourselves? With scenes of rubber bullets coming from South African police, Tanzanian police, and Kenyan police telling Nairobians to go back home during quarantine?
