Diversity of Faces, Not Voices
212NYC hosted a powerful panel to celebrate Black History Month with a discussion about the silencing of the Black community from shadow banning, gaslighting around micro-aggressions, and the lack of progress still seen in terms of workplace inclusivity. 212NYC was honored and grateful to have welcomed some of the most prolific voices on social media today: Walter T. Geer III, Elizabeth Leiba, and Ashanti Maya Martin in a discussion led by 212NYC's Programming Chairperson, Monique Braham-Evans.
SHADOW BANNING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
The conversation kicked off with a discussion on shadow banning and it's disproportionate occurrence in the Black community on different digital platforms. Shadow banning is where a platform (including on social media) doesn't allow content to be viewed by people. This can happen by either pulling down content entirely or minimizing the reach of a post. The reason why it's called shadow banning though is due to the lack of transparency around the practice where content creators either don't know it's happening at all, don't have transparency into why it's happening or even what they can do about it.
The panel really called for a change in practice and for accountability to be put into place so that Black voices aren't being minimized, wrongfully flagged, or silenced. A change in moderation practices was specifically discussed since there are people and human made tech/algorithms that make the decisions about what's appropriate/allowed, and all done without understanding full context. The very problem exists because of the lack of diversity in the c-suites and engineering/tech teams creating the AI that is automatically flagging content (which carries inherent bias from the creator of the code) as well as lack of understanding from the human Trust & Safety team members. For the human side - important questions arose like "Who are they?" and "How are they being acculturated to how different people communicate on platforms?". The most important question asked was what have platforms being doing the last 16 months, since this topic was more widely exposed via Ashanti Martin's NYT article. The panel acknowledged while there are some consumer-facing programs and campaigns like LinkedIn's Creator Accelerator which highlight the diversity of voices across the platform, it still begs the question of what they are doing behind the scenes.
Ashanti specifically followed up with "in the absence of substantiative information, people can only speculate, and when they speculate, they are going to speculate based on their own experience. They are going to speculate on current and historical patterns, and they are going to speculate based on what you are giving them." The panel specifically called out LinkedIn's CEO Ryan Roslansky’s choice to decline the "soft ball" of an engagement to discuss the issues with Walter Geer in a live chat. This had response had mixed reactions from panel from questioning, to lack of surprise, to a solid point of view that Ryan clearly doesn’t care about having that type of conversation. The expectation was laid out to be very clear - people want companies to be honest, even if the results are lack luster or that it's been 16 months and no real change; just the acknowledgment that it's still work to do would have been way more well received than a decline to even discuss the matter which sends the message as Walt put it, "you don’t give a shit about us".
Elizabeth Leiba put the responsibility for change back on the companies saying "If companies wanted to be accountable - they just would be. We wouldn't have to ask them to. I shouldn’t have to ask you to be a good person. I shouldn’t have to ask you to think about the comfort of Black folk on your platform." Since most spaces and social media has historically been built through the gaze of the white lens, the panel agreed that their norm is to expect unfairness, and things not being equitable. They also agreed that this problem won't just go away, and it's also a marathon with the goal of change over the long term.
Walt went on to put out a call to people to continue the conversation on social media since every amplification of Black creators’ voices will help the spread the message. The conversation then turned to talk through why it's also such an act of bravery to continue these conversations as people have been threatened with bodily harm and having people showing up literally on their doorsteps with threats. Liz said she has undergone a change in 2022 in which she no longer focuses on whether the majority sees the need for change because "if they wanted to -- they would;" but instead she focuses inward on how to empower herself, use her own voice, and also uplift others.
WORKPLACE CHALLENGES
The next question was what advice the panel has for those in workplaces who feel powerless because their leadership teams haven't lived up to the pledges and promises they made on diversity. Walt kicked off the conversion with a note about how Black women in particular have the most difficult time. In addition, Walter recognized that the challenges are real, and that so many promises were made, and yet few have lived up to them. The advice was then given to find your underground railroad. Find your tribe where people will support you to the end – those ride or die people. On the flip side, also make sure you feel safe, comfortable and really assess how the workplace is impacting your mental health. If the answer is that your workplace brings about day-to-day problem, then you should find another place where your mental health can be the priority.
Ashanti then expressed her fandom of the concept of "Leaving Loudly" - where unfortunately while you shouldn't have to be the person who brings to light these issues after you have already been made to feel so uncomfortable but the reality is no one else is going to say it either. She went on to encourage people to NOT sign an NDA if they don't have to and to blow up the exit interview because she believes your voice is worth more than any dollar amount. Someone has to be the voice and light to lead others out so that anything from microaggressions to outright racism should be called to tasked - especially from the outside.
THE CONSTANT QUESTION – WELL, WHAT CAN I DO?
When posed the question "what can/should I do?" Liz shared that like anything else, you have to make a plan and then put it into action. Start small with building blocks that build up to create change. She spoke on the need to be invested in the problem solving, and to go outside of your own comfort zone and create a space where its most comfortable for everyone. She emphasized the importance of it being humanity work, asking yourself "are you a good person?". It's not about helping Black folk from the outside or saying, "how can I help you?" but rather looking into the mirror and becoming a better person yourself. Asking yourself - what would I do if it was my own family, or if I cared, r was invested enough, shifts both the accountability to yourself and begs for more empathy within your own thoughts. Injustice (and inequality) is an everyone problem, and we need to work towards how we are making things better. She went on to say that "anything is better than nothing." People don't think about a problem until it affects them, and THAT is the problem.
As it stands - just asking the question or having the excuse of "I don’t know how to be an ally" isn't acceptable anymore. In general, the feeling was exasperation; and Ashanti went on to say "the time has passed, like you had time. I'm a slow reader you know, but like, even I finished. There is lots of information out there.” No one else is going to tell you what to do – but there needs to be more accountability because this is something everyone should care about. Taking cues from trusted Black people in your own sphere as well as using Google and other resources to help kick start your thoughts into a change of perspective are all well within reach.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We implore everyone to take the time to watch the replay so you can see these and other thoughts come to life from the panelists’ own voices. In the meantime want to be very clear that there are no checklists or steps being given that can be easily followed. There are some key final thoughts and takeaways and make connections below that should be considered:
Continue to push and continue to create opportunities for others. It doesn't take that much to send the elevator back down.
Be a good person – do whatever you can from where you are. Use any shred of power that you have as it’s the small steps that make change.
Notice who is around you, and if you don't have any Black people in your sphere that you can take cues from, then that’s an issue in itself to investigate.
If you have hiring power – hire Black people! Especially in the creative industry because why wouldn't we want to spice it up, so people are bringing different things and making the whole community stronger.
Stop going with the flow and being committed to the ways it has always been. Be on the right side of history.
Don’t let the process ruin your progress. When you start a business, no one sits and reads every business book in the world. Rather, you step out in faith, and learn as you go. The same principles can be applied here.
Start using websites like OurDipper.com and connect to Black LinkedIn so you can research companies.
Start asking yourself "Does this space deserve me?" Do the research and question is it the best place/serving your best interests and emotional well-being.
Remember that if you don't use your voice - someone else will used your silence.
If companies wanted to change, they would – and it’s not that hard to hold them accountable.
As Liz said "It's not enough to sit on the sidelines and say it's terrible" - everyone needs to get on the field and take action and the power to change can come from anywhere! A huge thank you again goes to the Panelists for helping to tell Black Truths and to shine a light on Black narratives about (and in spite of) the challenges against Black folks to silence their voices.