ABSTRACT
Digital activism among Black users is the modernization of a communication pattern that has historical roots in the Black community such as the call-and-response communication pattern found in the Black church. Yet, the Black Lives Matter movement might not have its current effectiveness without the use of Twitter, which points to the role of social media in cultivating political connection. #BlackLivesMatter also revealed the discomfort and lack of racial competencies that many Americans still have when discussing race-related issues. This chapter critically examines the implications of digital activism demonstrated through the Black Lives Matter movement and its influence on the public’s awareness of racial injustices in the U.S. and other “hashtag” activism campaigns. The chapter also discusses the critiques of digital activism, such as “slacktivism,” the notion that digital activism is limited to online discussions, retweets, and likes, and the claim that this form of action does not produce tangible change.
