Black Power & Social Media
The film #StraightOuttaCompton came into theaters this weekend (8/14/15) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reacted by increasing patrolling duties of officers near theaters in Los Angeles. In the wake of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, police departments across the nation are paranoid. LAPD reacted to the power that Black people are building by increasing surveillance; the powers at be are fearful of the consciousness raising occurring in the Black Community and beyond.
In thinking through the question: Why does LAPD feel the need to increase police presence during the screenings of #StraightOuttaCompton? I reflect on a quote by Frederick Douglass, where he believes “power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will”. The point that Douglass is making is that in order to make an institution of power relinquish some of their power, is to demand something from them. The film requires the minds of movie-goers to witness police brutality on the screen. The film served as an opportunity to grow political consciousness. And the LAPD felt some type of way about this, thus the increase in police presence at select theaters. In this case, the LAPD represents an institution with power, due to their capacity and ability to murder people, and get away with it due to the Police Bill of Rights , Fraternal Order of Police and various nuances in the legal system that continue to let officers misuse their power.
The #BlackLivesMatter movement coupled with the Black film #StraightOuttaCompton highlights the POWER that Black people possess. Black people in 2015, have utilized social media to create a collective consciousness that counters the narrative told by media outlets owned by the six major corporations . Black Social Media is resistance.This power was enough to force the LAPD to deploy resources in an attempt to quell the movement. However, my generation will not be stopped, in fact we will win.
In The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon he bestows wisdom by stating, "each generation must discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it, in relative opacity” my generation is utilizing the power of technology and mass communication to fulfill our mission. I believe an aspect of my generation’s mission is utilizing social media to raise awareness and consciousness about the injustice that exists around the world, and in particular to Afrikan/Black people. We have done this through Direct Action across the nation, uploading videos of injustice, and speaking truth to power. We now have the power, we must use it.
#BlackMediaOnTheRiseIwuoma, Destiny — #DJDestiny
*#DJDestiny is now your FAVORITE actor, take a look at these Social Justice films….Are you interested in collaborating on a Social Justice Media Project? bookdjdestiny@gmail.com
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