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WRITTEN BY CHEYENNE TANG // ILLUSTRATED BY MADELINE INGRUM In an era of physical isolation, it is only natural that we have resorted to electronic platforms to seek connections. We live in a time where technology and, more specifically, social media has opened the door to unlimited possibilities. In 2020, America was faced with two pandemics: the COVID-19 outbreak and the pandemic that has been killing for centuries, racism. If life were a game, 2020 seems like the “Boss Level” for humanity:
designed to test our ability to persevere. The global pandemic is testing whether we can put others’ health and safety before our own. George Floyd’s murder amplified the Black Lives Matter movement to an international level. Worldwide lockdowns and quarantines have encouraged many to take time to transform their lives. With nowhere to go, self-reflection about our racist behavior is almost inevitable. This new level of awareness naturally led to another transformation: the social media transformation.
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On May 25, George Floyd was brutally murdered by police officers who arrested him for a counterfeit $20 bill. The officers ignored his pleas for mercy until he could no longer say “I can’t breathe.” The global outrage on social media that followed Floyd’s death was something I have never experienced before. The whole world was listening to America, and our country’s leadership failed to demonstrate empathy and understanding of basic human rights. Floyd’s death was the spark that ignited the flame to transform American social media spaces. It was up to social media users to educate their followers and enact activism. Previously, Facebook and Instagram were places for people to flaunt their “perfect” life and share what they’ve been up to with their friends and family. TikTok was a place for dance trends and Vinelike comedic videos. However, in the past months, the vernacular has shifted. I watched my Instagram feed become a bulletin board of social issues and politics. Family members and friends were posting quotes from influential figures, slide decks with resources and
