- The Twitter network known as 'Black Twitter' is finding humor in the potential end of the unofficial community.
- Black users are sharing laughs and meaningful tributes to their time on Twitter as many mull leaving.
The online community dubbed "Black Twitter" has weathered a pandemic, prolonged periods of social injustice, and several tumultuous elections, but Elon Musk may be the final straw.
In the wake of "Chief Twit" Musk's takeover of Twitter, some users have expressed uncertainty on whether they intend to remain active on the site as trolls and misinformation run rampant. For the corner of Twitter known affectionately as Black Twitter, many are relying on comedy — as they have time and time again in times of turbulence — to mourn the loss of the social media platform as they know it.
For the uninitiated, Black Twitter is the unofficial online network of Black Twitter users. Although it's not an official organization with designated representatives, the community has proven it can bring comedic relief to Twitter, start important conversations, and promote social change on the site during challenging times.
And while some Black users expressed that they feel the network is now threatened by Twitter's trial-and-error period, with Musk experimenting with sweeping changes to the platform, it hasn't stopped many from having a few laughs on the way out.
—local m.s. hottie (@Social_Twerker) November 10, 2022
—Sylvia (@SylviaObell) November 11, 2022
Many also credited Black Twitter for the app's online success. Some even promised to follow Black users if they chose to leave Twitter for another platform.
"I'm just waiting for Black Twitter to decide the next app they'll make successful," user Rafael Shimunov wrote.
While comedy was a common theme in most tributes to the informal network, others highlighted the cultural impact of Black Twitter outside of the app.
—Shanita Hubbard (@msshanitarenee) November 11, 2022
As celebrities and companies alike make deactivate their accounts, the future of Twitter hangs in the balance. Musk's $8 paid-for verification received widespread backlash after trolls used the feature to impersonate public figures.
The future for the site may be unclear, but Musk's continued blunders have helped upstart platforms like Mastodon experience user growth.