What We Can Do To Fix Subtle Racism on Social Media | Amala Anna Theakanath | TEDxWest Park HS

TL;DR

Microtrends are fast-moving trends that often appropriate elements from different cultures, perpetuating subtle racism.

Transcript

hello everyone can you hear me perfect okay so to start um could you please clap if you recognize some of the trends that I'm wearing right now as well as the ones that are on the slide awesome so I see that a lot of you are familiar with microt Trends but for those of you who aren't familiar what is a microt trend a microt trend can be practically... Read More

Key Insights

• 😚 Microtrends are short-lived trends that quickly gain and lose popularity, often appropriating elements from different cultures.
• 👾 Examples include henna freckles, spa water, and browny glazed lips, derived from Asian, African, and Hispanic cultures.
• 💳 These trends perpetuate subtle racism by erasing cultural significance and failing to give proper credit.
• 🔉 Media representation is crucial in combating cultural appropriation in trends.
• 🫵 Viewers can combat cultural appropriation by seeking out information, questioning the impact of trends on cultures, and ensuring proper credit is given.
• 📈 Creators should educate themselves, uplift voices discussing cultural appropriation, and avoid perpetuating harmful trends.
• 🖐️ Apps can play a role in promoting media literacy and encouraging viewers to seek out more information beyond surface-level content.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are microtrends and how do they impact different cultures?

Microtrends are short-lived trends that quickly gain popularity, often appropriating elements from different cultures. This impacts those cultures by erasing their significance and failing to give them proper credit.

Q: How does the issue of cultural appropriation relate to fast-moving trends?

Fast-moving trends like microtrends often appropriate cultural practices without understanding or acknowledging their origins, perpetuating subtle racism and erasing cultural significance.

Q: What can viewers do to combat cultural appropriation in trends?

Viewers can ask themselves if participating in a trend harms the culture it's derived from and ensure proper credit is given. Seeking out information and educating oneself is crucial.

Q: How can creators contribute to stopping cultural appropriation in trends?

Creators can uplift voices educating on cultural appropriation, educate themselves on unfamiliar topics, and avoid perpetuating harmful trends without understanding their cultural significance.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Microtrends are short-lived trends that rapidly gain and lose popularity on social media.

• Examples include henna freckles, spa water, and browny glazed lips, derived from Asian, African, and Hispanic cultures.

• These trends perpetuate subtle racism by erasing cultural significance and failing to give proper credit.