The End Goal

On the internet, everybody wants to be Black, but nobody wants to be Black.

This is a less explicit but relevant paraphrase of the late comedian Paul Mooney’s infamous quote. Everyone wants to profit off of Black culture, yet Black Americans are both consistently deprived of this chance and mocked for their culture. The addition of the internet, social media and online anonymity have exacerbated these issues of constant racism and Blackfishing.

It’s important to understand that although the commodification of Black culture will continue as long as the United States diversifies, that does not mean that racism or the appropriation of culture has to continue, either. 

Aspects of Black culture are cool when it’s convenient and then mocked when it’s no longer, especially in the trend-driven world that is the internet. There has to be more accountability for people who falsely attribute aspects of a culture to a particular “trend” and people who get away with profiting off of Black mannerisms for the sake of amending bridges with the Black community, not setting fire to the ropes.

To make up for these gregarious errors, we must normalize and uplift the parts of Black culture that the mainstream dubs “trendy” for all people, not just non-Black people. Instead of labeling certain aspects — like hair or music or even the dialects that come out of some of our mouths — of Black culture as unrefined or weird because it’s different from the “standard,” an empathetic approach of understanding the various backgrounds of various ethnicities should be taken into consideration. 

Although technology and social media can be a deficit, they can also be utilized in beneficial ways, like carrying the ability to learn about different communities’ cultures as well as the ability to understand diverse perspectives. Companies like YouTube are already taking steps to amend the isolation and alienation of Black creators by highlighting a “Black Creator Spotlight.” More media companies should follow in their footsteps, aiming to create less-prejudiced communities within their platforms.  Studies find that more representation in media and real life — such as in television, in positions of power and in medical fields, to name a few — leads to higher self-esteem of students’ ethno-racial group and less discrimination of other groups. 

On a more local level, it is a necessity that we all be aware of cultural appropriation and bigotry, not just against Black people but for any historically disadvantaged or marginalized community, so that we do not continue to perpetuate discrimination and appropriation online. Black people should not be forced to compromise the amusing and beneficial features of being on the internet with constantly being exposed to discriminatory behavior. Even the simple task of rising above ignorance is better than stewing in benightedness. We must continue working to demolish racism on the internet so that digital discrimination does not suppress the voices of the Black community.