Making Sense of Censorship | TISOT Ep. 11

August 4, 2021 the-introvert-sisters Show Notes Comments Off on Making Sense of Censorship | TISOT Ep. 11

Making Sense of Censorship | TISOT Ep. 11

Episode Summary:

The censorship and de-platforming of Black voices is unfortunately nothing new. From LinkedIn to Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, Black and Brown content creators struggle to get their content seen, and often have their voices suppressed. Both of the sisters have experienced this personally, most recently when Lisa had one of her posts removed by LinkedIn. Tune in to this special Off-Topic episode as the sisters discuss this ongoing suppression issue, and the best ways to push back against algorithmic bias. 

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6 Big Takeaways:

  1. On owning your content: “For Black creators, having your own platform that you own and have spent money on is a far safer option than having a free account where you are the product, and where they can shut you down at any time.”
  2. On who gets censored: “Certain creators are more prone to having their visibility limited. They tend to be of our kind of hue.”
  3. On algorithmic bias: “Anti-Black bias is coded and embedded into the AI.The algorithm is not set up to let our content be seen.”
  4. On handling online bullies: “Block. Report. Delete. It’s a form of self-care.”
  5. On people who do not like others’ content: “You have the option to slide on by. You don’t have to read. You don’t have to react.”
  6. On keeping receipts: “Screenshot everything. Screenshot bullies. Screenshot problematic comments. #ScreenshotARacist.”

7 Key Quotes: 

  1. “When I was censored, I felt like I had been hit in the chest. I felt like my entire voice and being had been snatched away from me. Something that I owned had been taken away.”
  2. “I can handle dissent. A lot of people cannot. Which is why there is all this snowflakery.”
  3. “Create your own platform.”
  4. “Get your network to come for the network. Get your audience to advocate on your behalf.”
  5. “If they are offering a platform for free, you are the product. You don’t own it, and you can be removed.”
  6. “People who are white and racist can have their content remain, while people who are Black and anti-racist get their content suppressed.”
  7. “If you were not doing the work, and if your work was not resonating, they would not be trying to de-platform you.”

By The Numbers:

  • 0:57 – Lisa shares about the moment when she realized her post had been censored by LinkedIn
  • 3:47 – Does LinkedIn inform people when they remove their content?
  • 7:07 – Instagram’s new sensitive content setting is censoring Black and brown content creators
  • 18:42 – Why Sharon started her anti-racism newsletter
  • 21:06 – The power of leveraging your social media network
  • 24:43 – How to fight back if your content is censored

Resources:

Activists