Hashtags are mainly used as an unmoderated invitation to reflection and discussion. It is the combination of symbols starting with the # sign. Any hashtag supported by a sufficient amount of people can create a trend and attract even more users to the debate. These days, hashtags start creating global and social changes. It is the symbol of globalization when people worldwide can express their thoughts through the Internet.
#Blacklivesmatter
Hashtags are not registered, a single person or groups of users cannot control them, and hashtags cannot be removed from the social network, which means that they can be used for any timespan. Concerning the introduction of new hashtags, they do not have unambiguous definitions, and consequently, a single hashtag can be applied for any purpose of different users.
The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter has flooded the Internet in the past few weeks. It has developed into the motto and the slogan of the same name movement (Chokshi, 2016). This movement, Black Lives Matter, differs from traditional organizations for the effort for the rights of African Americans since it does not have a hierarchy or structure, and a common idea unites the participants.
Social Networks reveal the fact that killing African American is a problem that is relevant not only in the United States. For example, in London, protesters painted a monument to the commander of the British army in World War I Douglas Haig (Keane, 2020). According to the population survey, the behavior of the UK police against blacks is often more violent than against whites (Francis, 2018). Echoes of protests in the United States go beyond the borders of the country. In some other states, actions of solidarity with demonstrators are also taking place.
Conclusion
Citizens and authorities cannot ignore the danger that social networks sometimes carry. Media, especially hashtags that unite people worldwide, can bring possible adverse outcomes and, at the same time, it has a considerable advantage to fight injustices by joining forces. The explosion of the movement united by the #BlackLivesMatter proves that one hashtag can have a great power, which may change the world, reveal hidden facts, and make humanity reflect on structural racism.
References
Chokshi, N. (2016). How #BlackLivesMatter came to define a movement. The New York Times. Web.
Francis, S. (2018). Met Police ‘use force more often’ against black people. BBC News. Web.
Keane, D. (2020). Soldiers heckled as they silently clean war memorial daubed with graffiti during London Black Lives Matter protest. The Sun. Web.