Creating a Safe and Empowering Digital Space for Black Voices: Exploring Twitter’s Bluesky and Threads

Is there a safe social media platform for Black people?

July 25, 2023

As social media platforms continue to evolve, there is an ongoing discussion about whether these platforms can provide a safe space for Black individuals. Recent events surrounding Twitter owner Elon Musk have sparked a “Great Migration” from the app that has long dominated Black social media discourse. This raises the question: what’s next? Is there a replacement for Twitter that can serve as the safe space that Black users have been longing for?

The Issues with Twitter

It is evident that problems were brewing at Twitter as soon as Elon Musk completed his purchase of the company in October 2022. Musk had a history of catering to conspiracy theorists and anti-Black trolls, which had already tormented many users on the site. Following his takeover, hate speech directed at Black users escalated, and Musk made fun of pronoun preferences, welcomed back previously-suspended users with problematic views, and introduced various questionable changes to the platform.

For those who advocated for Black voices, Twitter had always been challenging. However, with Musk at the helm, the platform became even more hostile. User interface issues, such as a useless “For You” section and changes to Twitter Circles, further contributed to the growing dissatisfaction. Musk’s announcement of a “rate limit” for daily tweets resulted in hours when people couldn’t load new tweets. These changes pushed many Black users to seek alternative platforms.

Emerging Platforms

Amidst the search for a safe social media platform, other apps have emerged as potential alternatives to Twitter. Three notable platforms are Bluesky Social, the Black-owned Spill, and Meta’s Threads.

Bluesky:

Bluesky is an invite-only beta platform developed by Twitter‘s former CEO Jack Dorsey. The interface resembles an early iteration of Twitter, with simple tweets and interactions. However, due to its invite-only nature, it was difficult to connect with friends from other platforms.

Spill:

Spill, created by Alphonzo “Phonz” Terrell and DeVaris Brown, two former Twitter employees, is explicitly designed as a social media platform for Black individuals. The language used in its functionality incorporates Black vernacular, and the platform initially had a celebratory atmosphere. Black users flocked to Spill, finding a space that felt built for them and where they could express their frustrations with Musk and Twitter‘s treatment of Black users. However, the cluttered interface and lack of clarity regarding post authors may present challenges for newcomers to social media.

Threads:

Meta’s Threads, Mark Zuckerberg’s direct Twitter competitor, offers a layout similar to Twitter. With features like reposting, quoting, and the ability to integrate Instagram followers automatically, Threads provides a familiar experience for users. Its launch has been impressive, with over 150 million downloads, making it the fastest-growing app. Musk’s response to Threads has been marked by panic, evident in his threat to sue Zuckerberg.

The Future of Safe Spaces for Black Users

The emergence of Threads poses a potential threat to the popularity of Spill. However, it should not be viewed as a competition between the two platforms. Spill does not necessarily have to replace Twitter or fight against Zuckerberg’s app. Its strength lies in serving as a niche site dedicated to the Black users who helped it gain popularity initially. Rather than being the new “internet Walmart,” Spill can coexist with larger platforms, offering Black individuals a space where they can truly be themselves without concerns about online abuse.

However, the sustainability of these new platforms and the level of user fatigue will also play a significant role in determining their success. With the influx of new social media apps, users may find it overwhelming to navigate between multiple platforms. Some may fall by the wayside, while others will establish themselves as routine destinations.

Furthermore, Twitter still serves as a space for news and maintaining connections with long-time followers. Many users hesitate to leave the app completely, in fear of losing touch with their communities. While Musk’s behavior and the issues surrounding Twitter can be disheartening, it is vital to approach alternative platforms with caution. Mark Zuckerberg’s past has shown that even seemingly harmless platforms like Facebook have allowed the propagation of anti-Black rhetoric.

Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

The experiences and challenges faced by Twitter and its Black user base highlight important lessons that emerging platforms must heed. Taking Black users, who are the engine and influencers of these platforms, for granted can lead to disaster. It is crucial for these platforms to prioritize the safety and well-being of Black users, ensuring they are free from abuse and able to express themselves without fear.

As the landscape of social media continues to evolve, it is imperative that platforms recognize and address the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities, particularly Black individuals. Creating safe spaces for all users, irrespective of their race or ethnicity, is not only a moral imperative but also a necessary step towards a more inclusive digital world.

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