ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes Twitter activity that used the hashtag #BamaSits as part of a protest against racial injustice at a college football game in Alabama. Social media—particularly Twitter—can reach individuals in milliseconds, slashing the time it takes to organize protests. The protest continued at subsequent football games with students announcing their plans in advance, using the hashtag #BamaSits to organize and explain their views. Colin Kaepernick’s decision to take a knee during national anthem began a movement that spread to Saturday college football and youth athletics. Kaepernick’s action while an active player sparked a movement for athletes in the era of Black Lives Matter (BLM). A distinguishing factor in BLM movement is its access to social media. BLM seeks criminal justice reform and moves by federal and local governments to alleviate systemic racism. The chapter reviews tweets for words used, manner in which the Twitter user characterized BLM and other issues related to race, and the exchanges between Twitter users.
