Summary: Digital Intersectionality and #BlackLivesMatter Movement

To summarize the article Digital Intersectionality and The #BlackLivesMatter Movement by Brendesha Tynes, Joshua Schuschke, and Safiya Umoja Noble it is imperative to understand what the movement is and what the movement is fighting for.

The #BlackLivesMatter Movement is a discussion that was sparked by the acquittal of George Zimmerman, Trayvon Martin’s murderer. A hashtag turned movement by Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi, and Patrrisse Cullors about in which ways Black lives are denied freedom, safety, equity and equality because of systemic racism. It’s a movement demanding that the slaughtering and imprisonment of Black lives end. Social media has made it possible for so much information the reach numerous people in little amount of time, sometimes instantly.

“Social media has amplified the visibility” (Noble 22) of the state violence that is happening to Black lives so it is brought to light more often and quickly. Social media having that upside though does not mean it does not have its downs. It still has roots of heteropatriarchy. Black women and Black LGBTQIA+ people are at the frontlines of organizing #BlackLivesMatter but sadly Black women and Black queer women are too often not included. This calls for digital intersectionality and with the beginning of #SayHerName the movement has grown and is more inclusive to Black women and of the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s an ever evolving movement that will #SayHerName to bring awareness of the Black women that are murdered by state violence therefore battling the systemic divisions of social locations that goes unchecked at times.

The Intersectional Internet: Race, Sex, Class, and Culture Online (Digital Formations Book 105) (p. 21-37). Peter Lang. Kindle Edition.

“About.” Black Lives Matter, blacklivesmatter.com/about/.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *