Last week was a rough week for the Black community. After watching two black men become hashtags overnight, we were reminded that “Black Lives Matter” is more than just a hashtag, but something the world needs to acknowledge. With the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, the #blacklivesmatter hashtag was brought back to the forefront of twitter timelines. With the hashtag resurfacing over the recent tragedies, Twitter showed its support through an Emoji.
Blackbirds, an official account run by Twitter employees, brought back the clenched fist in varying shades of brown after the #blacklivesmatter hashtag. Blackbirds seek to celebrate and encourage diverse perspectives and brought back the clenched fist emoji on Friday to aid in that conversation.
In memory of #AltonSterling, #PhilandoCastile and those before them, we are bringing back our custom✊🏾 emoji from #BHM. #BlackLivesMatter
— Blackbirds (@blackbirds) July 8, 2016
So the next time you use the #blacklivesmatter hashtag look for the three clenched fist in varying shades of brown behind it.
Good morning all. Remember, I matter. YOU matter. And always #BlackLivesMatter Be great today, you woke up, go do something ✊🏾
— Jaz (@_AllThatJaz) July 11, 2016
With many big businesses using this time of tragedy as a way to profit, or choosing to stay silent on the matter altogether, it’s great to see one company showing their support.
These tragedies must lead to action. We join the voices demanding racial justice now. #AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile
— Twitter (@twitter) July 8, 2016
Google has also expressed recent support.
#AltonSterling and #PhilandoCastile’s lives mattered. Black lives matter. We need racial justice now. pic.twitter.com/mXTC0zRfqJ
— Google (@google) July 7, 2016
Last week, Facebook posted a Black Lives Matter sign at its headquarters.
However, it is important to hold these companies accountable for what they do not only in the public eye, but also in the private eye. Don’t just reflect diversity in new features or around the office, but also in your employees.
Dear tech companies, putting a signage on your building or issuing a #blacklivesmatter statement does not give you a free pass on diversity
— Morgan DeBaun (@MorganDeBaun) July 10, 2016
Hire. Train. Invest in black lives and then we won't all be so pleasantly surprised when you do the right thing in the first place. #tech
— Morgan DeBaun (@MorganDeBaun) July 10, 2016
To my friends celebrating @google, @facebook, @ComplexMag, and others for speaking up take a peak at their diversity numbers 1st… #tech
— Morgan DeBaun (@MorganDeBaun) July 10, 2016
