Abstract

This conference paper investigates the transformative role of Twitter and its influential subset, Black Twitter, in empowering marginalised communities and redefining public discourse by challenging societal norms. The paper explores the synergy between Twitter as a digital third place and Black Twitter as a counter-public, examining their unique characteristics and functions in relation to marginalised communities. Using case studies such as the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the #OscarSoWhite hashtag, the paper uncovers how these online spaces have acted as catalysts for social change. By identifying Twitter and Black Twitter’s roles in advocating for social justice and advancing social movements, the paper sheds light on their impact on public discourse, advocacy, and the future of social change within online communities, while acknowledging the broader context of social media’s role in contemporary society.

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Introduction

It is essential to acknowledge the broader context of social media’s role in contemporary society, with platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok transforming the way individuals and groups communicate and engage with socio-political issues (Loader & Mercer, 2011). These social media platforms provide people with a unique opportunity to create and communicate information free from the constraints of traditional media, which often perpetuate stereotypes and marginalise voices of minority communities (Bonila & Rosa, 2015).

Twitter, a microblogging platform, has emerged as a powerful tool for public discourse, community building, and advocacy, particularly in redefining the ways we interact and engage with social issues. By establishing itself as a vital platform for amplifying marginalised voices, challenging societal norms, and facilitating social change, Twitter has given rise to a unique and influential subset known as Black Twitter, which has been noted for its impact on public discourse and empowering marginalised communities (Florini, 2013). This conference paper explores the significance of Twitter and its subset #BlackTwitter, asserting that their combined roles as a digital third place and counterpublic are pivotal in empowering marginalised communities and redefining public discourse by challenging societal norms. We will delve into the synergy of Twitter and Black Twitter through their unique characteristics and functions as they relate to marginalised communities. By examining the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the #OscarSoWhite hashtag, among others, we can better understand how these online spaces have served as catalysts for social change. Identifying Twitter and Black Twitter’s roles in advocating for social injustice and advancing social movements allows us to appreciate their impact on public discourse and advocacy as well as their implications for the future of social change and online communities.

Twitter as a Third Space:

Coined by Oldenburg (1989 as cited in McArthur & White, 2016), Third places are informal public spaces that are separate from one’s home (first places) and work (second places). These spaces are characterised by their neutrality, accessibility, and inclusivity, facilitating open dialog, building relationships, and driving diverse conversations (Oldenburg, 1989 as cited in McArthur & White, 2016).

Since its founding in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Twitter has become home to millions of users worldwide who participate in social interactions and conversations that encompass a variety of topics and interests. Twitter’s distinctive features such as hashtags and retweets enable users to create, share, and amplify content to a large audience with speed Zizi Papacharissi, 2011). As a result, various subcultures and communities have emerged on Twitter, including Black Twitter. As a microblogging platform, Twitter shares many characteristics of a third place, making it a strong example of a digital third space (Gruzd et al., 2011). Some of these third-place features include being a neutral ground for diverse individuals to gather, fostering regular interactions, and providing a setting for lively conversations. Black Twitter leverages these features to create a third place that fosters community building, advocacy, and amplification of marginalised voices. The platform also provides marginalised groups, such as Black Twitter, the chance to bypass conventional information gatekeepers like the mainstream media and create their own narratives (Bonilla & Rosa, 2015). By organising and amplifying these accounts using hashtags, community development, and advocacy are further facilitated. This demonstrates how Twitter’s unique features and the emergence of communities like Black Twitter have led to the creation of a digital third space that empowers marginalised groups and challenges societal norms.

Twitter’s potential as a third place for marginalised communities can be understood from the #BlackLivesMatter movement, which emerged in the response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman, the American policeman who shot and killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old African American teenager (Freelon et al., 2016). This hashtag-based movement has since evolved into a global advocacy network for racial justice and challenging systemic racism (Dunivin et al., 2022). The widespread adoption of the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag has facilitated conversations around police brutality, racial inequality, and social justice, becoming instrumental in the organisation of protests and demonstrations (Freelon, McIlwain, & Clark, 2016). Twitter’s hashtag and retweet functions have proved essential to grassroots organising. Using hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter, #IcantBreathe, and #SayHerName has greatly helped the #BlackLivesMatter campaign mobilise and organise (Clark, 2014). More understanding and empathy across various audiences have been created by Twitter’s real-time capacity to elevate marginalised voices within the #BlackLivesMatter movement, which has aided the movement’s influence on public discourse and policy discussions (Clark, 2014).

Black Twitter as a counter-public

Counter-publics according to Fraser (1990), are alternative spaces where marginalised groups can challenge and contest dominant discourses and norms. These spaces allow the formation of collective identities, promote critical thinking, and facilitate political engagement (Graham & Smith, 2016). Although counter-publics may often become isolated from the mainstream public discourse and can be dismissed from influential powers, they play a crucial role in fostering resistance and promoting social change by allowing underrepresented groups to express their concerns and mobilise collection action (Asen, 2000).

Black Twitter operates as a digital counter-public, where Black users can exchange ideas, debate issues, and mobilise around shared concerns, effectively creating a unique space for discourse and resistance (Graham & Smith, 2016). A significant aspect of the African American experience on Twitter reflects longstanding traditions in African American communities, including the concept of ‘Signifyin”—a form of cultural performance and linguistic play that is commonly used in Black culture to express hidden meanings, subvert dominant narratives, and challenge social hierarchies (Florini, 2013). Florini argues that Signifyin’ is a central feature of Black Twitter. According to Hill (2018), Black Twitter serves as a platform for users to forge connections, create a collective identity, and resist oppressive systems and ideologies. This counter-public allows for the circulation of alternative discourses and the formation of digital counter-publics, which are spaces where marginalised groups can engage in political action and develop pedagogies of resistance. The use of memes, hashtags, and other cultural practices on #BlackTwitter serves as a form of Signifyin’ that allows users to subvert dominant cultural norms, express their unique cultural identity, and provide social commentary on issues of race and gender (Florini, 2013). By acting as a digital counter-public, Black Twitter fosters a sense of community and belonging among African American users, empowering them to challenge dominant narratives and resist oppressive systems. Furthermore, it allows for the creation and dissemination of alternative knowledge and the formation of social movements, such as #BlackLivesMatter, which have significantly influenced public discourse and policy (Hill, 2018). In this way, Black Twitter establishes itself as an influential counter-public that contributes to the empowerment of marginalised communities and the transformation of public discourse.

Twitter and Black Twitter have played an essential role in advancing social justice movements such as #BlackLivesMatter (Freelon et al., 2016). By leveraging the power of hashtags and retweets, activists can raise awareness, mobilise support, and organise protests on a global scale (Jackson & Foucault Welles, 2015). The visibility and reach of these movements have helped to challenge dominant societal norms and values, generating public conversations that contribute to policy changes and social transformation (Freelon et al., 2016). As these online spaces like Black Twitter continue to evolve, they hold significant potential for further redefining public discourse and promoting social justice as networked counter-publics Zizi Papacharissi, 2011). The concept of networked publics refers to the connection of diverse individuals and groups through social media platforms, enabling them to engage in collective action and shape public discourse in ways that were not possible before (Varnelis, 2008). This highlights the transformative potential of platforms like Twitter and Black Twitter in empowering marginalised communities and fostering social change.

Empowerment and Transformation

Black Twitter’s empowerment of silenced voices extends beyond the platform itself, as it challenges racial stereotypes, exposes racial biases, and promotes social justice initiatives. One such example is the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag, created in 2015, which brought attention to the lack of diversity in Hollywood and sparked a conversation about racial representation in the entertainment industry (Molina-Guzmán, 2016). This movement not only challenged the dominant cultural framework but also advocated for greater representation and diversity in media. Further analysis reveals that the power of Black Twitter lies in its ability to create and amplify hashtags that resonate with a broad audience, transcending Twitter and influencing public discourse. For instance, the #SayHerName campaign emerged to bring attention to the often-overlooked cases of police violence against Black women, highlighting the intersection of race and gender in these incidents. This movement prompted greater scrutiny of the criminal justice system and contributed to the broader #BlackLivesMatter movement’s goals (Crenshaw & Ritchie, 2015).

Another example is the #BankBlack movement, which encouraged the Black community to invest in and support Black-owned banks to counteract racial discrimination in the banking industry. This conversation led to an increased awareness of systemic racism in the banking sector, prompting some institutions to reassess their practices and policies to address these disparities (Asante-Muhammad et al., 2016). These examples demonstrate how Black Twitter goes beyond merely echoing the sentiments of its cited authors. By critically interpreting and analysing the impact of these hashtags and movements, we can see that Black Twitter’s influence extends to various aspects of society, challenging dominant narratives and advocating for social justice, ultimately empowering marginalised voices, and transforming public discourse.

Challenges and Limitations of Twitter and Black Twitter

While Twitter and #BlackTwitter have played a vital role in empowering marginalised communities and promoting social change, it’s important to recognise the potential challenges and limitations of these platforms for advocacy purposes. This section will discuss some of these challenges, including online harassment, echo chambers, misinformation, and algorithmic bias.

Online harassment poses a significant challenge for marginalised communities on social media platforms like Twitter. Advocates for social change often face trolls and hate groups, leading to hostile environments that further silence or marginalise voices (Tynes et al., 2019). This challenge suggests that platforms like Twitter must invest in more robust measures to protect users, fostering a safer environment for advocacy.

Echo chambers, where individuals are exposed to one-sided information, are a critical issue in the dissemination of information (Barberá et al., 2015). Twitter’s susceptibility to echo chambers can counteract advocacy and social change efforts, making it difficult for diverse perspectives to be understood and fostering polarization (Barberá et al., 2015). Echo chambers highlight the need for social media platforms to actively promote diverse viewpoints and facilitate constructive dialogue.

Misinformation on Twitter can undermine the credibility of advocacy efforts, create confusion, and perpetuate harmful stereotypes (Wardle & Derakhshan, 2017). Social media platforms must prioritise combating misinformation and upholding the integrity of shared information to maintain trust and credibility.

Algorithmic bias, referring to systematic and unfair discrimination in automated decision-making, can reinforce existing social inequalities (Noble, 2018). This challenge reveals that there is a need for greater transparency, oversight, and fairness in algorithmic systems to ensure marginalised voices are not silenced or disadvantaged on these platforms.

In summary, these issues highlight the complexities of using Twitter and #BlackTwitter for advocacy. Addressing these limitations and obstacles is crucial for improving the platform’s inclusivity, safety, and credibility.

Conclusion

The paper has demonstrated the impact of Twitter and subsets like #BlackTwitter as a third space and counter public in transforming public discourse, empowering marginalised communities, and reinforcing its responsibility in the progression of social equity and equality. By providing an alternative to traditional media, Twitter and Black Twitter have both democratised public discourse by offering a platform for underrepresented communities. From grassroots organising occurring on Twitter during the periods of the #BlackLivesMatter protests, the #NextOnNightline hashtag highlighting the perpetuation of negative stereotypes against black women and marriage, to the #OscarSoWhite campaign, Twitters influence has undeniably triggered conscious thinking and social change. Although problems such as online harassment, echo chambers, misinformation and algorithmic bias are prevalent and perpetual issues, Twitter should always strive to minimise these instances to ensure the digital third place of marginalised communities are available and trustworthy.

 

 

 

 

 

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