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h/t @JasonWardNY: @alexmiddlewood I understand the notion to show solidarity with women in academia through this gif. However, I think the choice of gif falls under digital Black face since the Dora Miljae is uniquely depicting the solidarity of BLACK women. A thread/ https://twitter.com/alexmiddlewood/status/1337905012517777409
For those who might be wondering what digital Blackface is, please read this article below because I don't feel like explaining it: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/digital-blackface-reaction-gifs
To continue further, women in academia, as you know, are not treated the same. Black women, especially, bear the brunt of both systemic racism and sexism. I think using the Dora Miljae, which have cultural significance for Black women, and people, broadly, wasn't the way to go.
I think it's odd that no one correct @alexmiddlewood and other non-Black academics on this. I remember seeing a white woman on here using exclusively BW gifs to express frustration. It's one of this things that feels racist because it probably is. It's also weird so please stop.
I understand that African-Americans frankly set the pace of culture in America, but folx got to stop using Black gifs, especially ones that hold significance, when it's not necessary. This falls into the same camp as using AAVE when you clearly don't understand the significance.
Anyway, @alexmiddlewood and others, I hope this very brief education reminds you again of the use of Black gifs and AAVE (African American Vernacular) is, in many ways, one way for Black people to express themselves authentically.
Thanks for coming to my TED talk.
Thanks for coming to my TED talk.
You know what I should really say is African-Americans set the cultural standard for the world. K pop borrows quite a bit from hip hop and other AA culture forms.
I say this also to emphasize that there are non-Black gifs like gifs are based off of movies, tv shows, etc. and who dominates in that arena? White and non-Black people.
So the use of Black gifs just feels like you're taking an extra unnecessary step if I'm keeping it
.
So the use of Black gifs just feels like you're taking an extra unnecessary step if I'm keeping it
.
As always @ChelseaHerps beat me to the punch, this thread actually includes other gifs that could've and should've been used: https://twitter.com/ChelseaHerps/status/1338573404933337089?s=20
lmaoooooo, so Exhibit B isn't it either. I feel like this one is somewhat worse. What is up with folx using Black Panther gifs that just don't make sense to use? Like there's was probably another gif to use that is so clearly not culturally significant.
https://twitter.com/Sephiroth144/status/1338286330187370496?s=20
https://twitter.com/Sephiroth144/status/1338286330187370496?s=20
People in my mentions talking about "but isn't me not using Black faces also racist?" It's not, but again I don't feel like explaining so another article h/t @ChelseaHerps: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-40931479
If you're non-Black and your immediate response to this thread about digital Blackface is to justify why you should be able to use Black gifs....you are centering yourself and not understanding the implications of your actions.
And I'll end my sermon on the twitter mount here.
And I'll end my sermon on the twitter mount here.
lol y'all be asking to be blocked on here. Listen I am liberal with that block button. If you say something in bad faith or fundamentally harmful? Babyyyy, you've got to go.
Black women stay doing unpaid labor, ANOTHER THREAD about #DigitalBlackface: https://twitter.com/That_Astro_Chic/status/1314177214703960065?s=20
