The peril of social media has turned around full circle. More black girls and boys are being raised surrounded by an explosion of bright images and stories dedicated to the essence of black life.

#BlackBoyJoy is a now a thing. It's now been nearly four years since CaShawn Thompson coined the term #BlackGirlsAreMagic. These viral hashtags spearheaded an entire movement dedicated to intentionally offering joy and a source of happiness during a time we need it most.

Since its inception, the hashtags have been used for just about any and everything that highlights positive images of black women, men, boys and girls. Thanks to social media outlets we can receive a daily dose of images and stories that celebrates carefree and unapologetic black life. Tweets using the tag range from admiration for young engineers like Tiera Guinn working for NASA and young black boys reenacting scenes from the New Edition Story to proud family and friends sharing success stories about people from their hometown. These important movements are the conduit to restoring our strength, loving ourselves and others better.

It seems as if every week the world sees footage of another black life slain on camera. These are daily reminders of the violence black people face every day. This constant visual reminder of death and pain can become extremely draining and has proven to be harmful to our mental stability. What does watching someone die do to our mental health? When black death and injustice goes viral it can trigger PTSD-like trauma, anxiety and depression. Movements like #BlackGirlMagic, #BlackBoyJoy and #CarefreeBlackKids offer a relief and breathing space for those who are unpacking feelings of frustration, rage and exhaustion due to these common occurrences. These much-needed joyful and uplifting images remind us exactly how lit and beautiful we are at moments we feel weak, silenced and dehumanized.

Connecting to the message behind #BlackGirlMagic or #BlackBoyJoy is far deeper than what’s on the surface. Many important dimensions of black lives are largely ignored and misconstrued by the media. Looking forward, we must continue to act as communicators and advocates to push forth fuller and more accurate portrayals of black lives. Researchers are revealing how positive images can produce tangible value in your life and help combat negative emotions. There is a clear link between media and public attitudes. The power of visualization tells us that if we see it we will believe it. The portrayal of black men and women directly affect the way we perceive and view one another. These movements are working to produce a constant flow of "unhidden figures" for us and by us. If we fill our days with more accurate and fulfilling celebrations of black life, we end up promoting a more positive perspective towards our own lives as well as the lives of people around us.

We are all uplifting in our own unique way. At times we are weak, this can be the highlight our day that fosters internal motivation to want more for our relationships and for ourselves. Keep sharing, reposting and pushing forth positive portrayals of our lives.

Christina Rutherford

Writing since March 2017 · 1 story contributed