FreedlistDec 27, 2022
Sam
Please, if you are not a person of African descent, reconsider creating 1st-level toots using the #BlackTwitter #BlackMastodon #BlackFedi or #BlackFediverse, etc, hashtags. In this moment of flux, a lot of Black folks are trying to find each other via these hashtags. It might be more considerate to use #BlackTwitterAllies and other such hashtags to show support for Black communities without co-opting them.
Dec 26, 2022 at 10:49pmWeb
Show threadIan K TindaleDec 26, 2022
@samuteki that’s a good idea

(And please put hashtags at the end, or beginning, anywhere except inside a paragraph of body copy because hashtags have almost no visibility due to their poorly chosen (inaccessible) colours, so it just ends up looking like a paragraph with gaps in)
Show threadVirtue signal 💉💉💉🇺🇸 🇺🇦Dec 27, 2022

@u0421793

When client apps make poor UI choices, that should be filed as a bug report against the app. FWIW, I don't see any color difference on the web version.

Show threadKarin SorenbyDec 26, 2022
@samuteki ☺️🙏
Show threadJJ KrawczykDec 26, 2022
@samuteki The only time I use these are when informing other people about following but I suppose I can set the visibility to “mentions only” so it doesn’t pop up for others. Thanks for this!
Show threadStacy 🇺🇦🇺🇸 (he/him)Dec 26, 2022
@samuteki #BlackTwitterAllies Sorry, was trying to support the community
Show threadHat. AuDHD cat 😷🌺🍉🌻🔻Dec 27, 2022
@samuteki this.
Remember we arent the ones they exist for.
DO boost them. Follow them for some wonderful content. But they aren't there for us to use
Show threadHat. AuDHD cat 😷🌺🍉🌻🔻Dec 27, 2022
@samuteki BlackFriday is an especially cool hashtqg
Show threadSamDec 27, 2022
@CatHat is there a BlackFridayAfterNext? 😂😂😂
Show threadHat. AuDHD cat 😷🌺🍉🌻🔻Dec 27, 2022
@samuteki idk. If not maybe someone will make one?
Certainly there will be a lot of people posting to the BlackFriday hashtag on that day (assuming it's a friday)
Show threadPeter (old account)Dec 27, 2022
@samuteki I really appreciate this suggestion! Because sometimes I want to post something I have learnt about Aboriginality or about the history of colonisation, and I don't want to use hashtags that others find problematic for me to use. But I know it's also problematic to use "ally" as a self-description. I consider myself a learner: I imagine I'm reasonably progressive, and I think I know more than some Australians about our history, but that's just relative, and there's so much I don't know.
Show threadSamDec 27, 2022
@PeterWyrm It can get really touchy, and I've been on the other side of this too! I specifically mentioned the above hashtags because they are being used as beacons for Black folks to find each other. I personally wouldn't object to non-Blacks using other hashtags related to Black history or culture, as long as it comes from a place of thoughtfulness and respect.
Show threadJohn LoveDec 27, 2022
@samuteki Props for the way you stated this. The final straw for my joining the Fediverse was the new owner of the other platform banning the 9 journalists. Once here, though, I quickly found #BlackMastodon and started reaching out. While I'm working to reach all Americans, I value the opportunity to reach out to Black Americans and for them to be able to find me. "Finding each other," is a very powerful thing, and finding each other in the context of this larger Fediverse feels good.
Show threadChris TrottierDec 27, 2022
@samuteki Thank you for this. Earlier today, I was considering using one of those hashtags—and then realized that it might not be appropriate for me.
Show threadthenormanDec 27, 2022
@samuteki ...brother, my thanks, this makes so much sense.
Show threadthenormanDec 27, 2022
@samuteki ...#blackmastodonallies brown person for blak people.
Show threadEric VitielloDec 27, 2022
@samuteki will do! I read and post #BlackHistory articles I read - I’ll start including these hashtags as well.
Show threadASHTON 🇯🇲Dec 27, 2022
@samuteki You know what, I could not have put this better myself. I wanted to say something, but I wasn’t exactly sure how to word it... 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Show threadGrae HallDec 27, 2022

@samuteki What won't white people appropriate am I right?

(I mean I'm half Finnish and half Australian so I'm like super extra white and as such can confirm we're literally the worst)

Show thread🎠Bo AbrahamsenDec 27, 2022
@HallGrae @samuteki Nobody should ever apologise for their ancestry, age or gender. That's not what equality is about.
Show threadBen, Writin’ MoviesDec 27, 2022
@samuteki I’m more than happy to use #BlackTwitterAllies in future, despite being possibly the whitest guy here! 😁
Show threadChookMother 🇦🇺🦘Dec 27, 2022

@samuteki

Re "African descent", please be aware that Indigenous Australians (I am not one) also refer to themselves as Black or Blak and may use similar hashtags.

Other than that, message heard and understood.

Show threadmeepthorpeDec 27, 2022
@samuteki Great idea. Hereby adopted.
Show threadChristine HallDec 27, 2022
@samuteki I'm reminded here about something about the road to hell and good intentions. Thanks for the heads up.
Show threadsurfieDec 28, 2022
@samuteki thank you for this tip on etiquette. I want to be an ally, not a usurper.
Show threadPamWingedHorseDec 28, 2022
@samuteki I've been using #BlackLivesMatter. Is that an acceptable choice?
Show threadSamDec 28, 2022
@PamSourelis That hashtag (per my understanding) wasn't being used in the same way as the ones I mentioned, so it's probably fine.
Show threadmaiamaiaJul 9, 2023
@samuteki I did put it on one, but with the intention others would see it, strip out the link & represent it. It was about black history & kind of obscure. I dunno if that's fair use or not. I just wish I'd spend less time online & more cleaning the house or something useful