Performative Activism and Civil Unrest – #BlackoutTuesday and #ChallengeAccepted
Racism and police brutality are an undeniable reality in the U nited States . On May 25, 2020, the brutal murder of George Floyd spark ed public outcry and protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement , making headlines around the world. Social media platforms became valuable resources to keep protestors informed and allowed many individuals to showcase their support. On June 2, 2020, the hashtag # B lack o ut T uesday flooded social media with millions of tiny black squares to raise awareness about racial inequality . However, many of these photos were posted with out links, sources, or any information about why the hashtag started in the first place. What was intended to be a powerful wave of online support became a wave of performance piece s to avoid public backlash , offeri...