Summary
Highlights
Tasha Smith, a digital activist from Oakland, California, draws a humorous analogy about cookout dishes to introduce the idea that 'you can't believe everything you see online.' She shares her formative experiences in Oakland, a city with a rich history of activism, and how her upbringing, including early exposure to social justice issues, radicalized her from a young age.
Smith discusses how activism has been deeply embedded in her life. She prompts the audience to consider how historical movements would feel with today's social media power, then highlights recent events that exemplify social media's impact on social justice. She notes the political power of social media, particularly evident in the 2016 election and the rise of movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo, largely fueled by black women.
Despite its power, social media also brings disappointments, such as the spread of misinformation and the organization of insurrections like January 6th. Smith recounts an incident where her own work was stolen and misused by a political figure to spread disinformation. She stresses that fact-checking is now essential, calling it 'Social Media 101', and debunks the idea of TikTok videos as reliable sources.
Smith provides three key strategies for identifying fake news: (1) spotting fake accounts by questioning if it's the sole source of a story, (2) evaluating content for authenticity and outrageousness to detect clickbait, and (3) checking comments and replies, leveraging the collective wisdom of the online community. She promotes her agency, 'Get Social with Tasia,' which focuses on combating misinformation and educating on social justice.
Smith discusses the challenges of navigating a digital world filled with trolling and political letdowns. She emphasizes that change is a long-term process, not just a single election, and encourages continuous voting to achieve desired future results. She highlights the significant influence of social media in galvanizing followers for both good and bad, particularly amplifying the voices of black women who have changed narratives in trials and elections.
Smith points out the exhaustion of black women constantly fighting for change, citing the statistic that 91% of black women voters supported the Democratic candidate in 2020. She questions whether black women are appreciated and understood for their consistent advocacy and the importance of their voices, both online and offline.
She highlights how social media has introduced figures like Vice President Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams, and Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, acknowledging the discomfort, ridicule, and misinformation they faced. Smith encourages using platforms to share truth, debunk myths, and support one another. She urges active participation: showing up, signing up, sharing real links, and consistently voting in all elections, not just presidential ones. She concludes by emphasizing the lasting digital footprint and the responsibility to leave a positive legacy for future generations, keeping activism alive both online and offline.