The social media response to Black Lives Matter how Twitter users interact with Black Lives Matter through hashtag use-2

Overview of the Study

  • Title: The social media response to Black Lives Matter (BLM) through hashtag use

  • Authors: Jelani Ince, Fabio Rojas & Clayton A. Davis

  • Publication: Ethnic and Racial Studies, 2017

  • Keywords: Framing; social movements; social media; Black Lives Matter; online activism; policing

  • Publication Date: Online: 06 July 2017

Purpose of the Paper

  • This paper "examines how users on social media interact with BLM through hashtags." It introduces the concept of "distributed framing," which highlights how "the public shapes the framing of the movement using hashtags," reflecting collective perspectives on social issues related to race and policing.

Context of the Black Lives Matter Movement

  • Start Date: The term "Black Lives Matter" originated in 2013 following the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin. This high-profile case sparked national outrage and mobilized communities across the United States.

  • Significance: The verdict served as a catalyst for nationwide protests that emphasized racial inequality and police violence against African Americans. The media's portrayal of these events and the broader BLM movement plays a critical role in shaping its messaging and public comprehension.

Research Methodology

  • Sample Size: The study analyzes 66,159 tweets that mention #BlackLivesMatter from 2014, particularly in the aftermath of the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.

  • Data Collection: The dataset was gathered from a random sample of 10% of public Twitter messages during a period of intense discourse surrounding BLM, aligning with major events such as the Ferguson protests.

  • Time Frame: The tweets collected captured a pivotal moment in Twitter activism, illustrating how social media became a vital platform for mobilizing support and protest regarding systemic racial injustices.

Key Findings

  • Types of Associated Hashtags: The research identifies five main categories associated with #BlackLivesMatter:

    • Solidarity: Tweets that express support for the movement and solidarity with its goals.

    • Police Violence: Mentions relating to police incidents, highlighting cases and victims of police brutality.

    • Movement Tactics: Discussions about strategies and methods for organizing protests and raising awareness.

    • Ferguson: Tweets particularly linked to events occurring in Ferguson, which became emblematic of the BLM movement.

    • Counter-Movement Sentiments: Expressions of opposition, such as the #AllLivesMatter narrative, which emerged in contrast to BLM.

  • Evolution of BLM's Social Media Presence:

    • Growth in Popularity: Following the Ferguson incident, mentions of #BlackLivesMatter saw a significant surge, indicating a rise in public engagement with the movement.

    • Emphasized Topics:

      • Before Michael Brown's shooting: Discussions primarily revolved around solidarity, with less focus on active resistance or police violence.

      • After Michael Brown's shooting: A marked increase in discussions regarding police violence emerged, alongside a shift to tactical discussions and greater expressions of solidarity among participants.

  • Counter-Movement Presence: The study recognizes the emergence of opposing movements that utilized social media to challenge BLM's narrative, thus complicating the discourse surrounding race and policing in America.

Theoretical Implications

  • Distributed Framing Theory: This theory articulates how social media enhances public interaction, leading to a decentralized and democratized framing of social movements.

  • Engagement through hashtags reflects dynamic processes of collective categorization and meaning-making that significantly influence public discourse and political mobilization, demonstrating the power of digital platforms in contemporary activism.

Challenges in Geographical Analysis

  • The study highlights difficulties in correlating tweet locations with local movements, as the low utilization of geolocation features on Twitter restricts researchers' ability to draw conclusions about local activism based on social media data.

Conclusion

  • The study concludes by emphasizing the critical role of social media in shaping collective memory and discourse surrounding social movements like BLM. It underscores the necessity for future research to explore how grassroots movements can effectively mobilize, engage users, and navigate counter-movements within digital spaces, thereby contextualizing their fight against systemic racism and injustice.