As news of Elon Musk officially buying Twitter with that big bank–$44 billion to be exact–started to circulate, people on the app started to speak about the relevancy of Black Twitter.
Defined as a community within the Twitter world that is comprised of African-Americans and Black people that focuses on the lifestyle and issues of the community, Black Twitter has been known for spreading information about social injustices, scams, and a lot more–including stopping a book deal between George Zimmerman and a Seattle publisher back in 2013. Many also say this is what catapulted the group.
As many reflected on the purchase today, people were wondering if the social media site would be the same, particularly for the 73% of Black internet users who live on the app, according to a study from Pew Research.
A person on Twitter said:
Black Twitter ran the value up on all this social media s**t.” Other people replied and agreed. Another person replied and said, “I need the Black Twitter staff to start Black Twitter somewhere else and just do that.
Another Twitter user tweeted:
Just tell me where Black Twitter is going b/c the laughs y’all provide are therapeutic and I need that.
One woman posed another question and asked:
“Lol if Black Twitter ends pop culture writers rooms and white content creators are done for. What will they have to co-opt and regurgitate for entertainment?
Another person pointed out that Black Twitter is the reason for so many memes and reactions.
Who are most featured in memes and reaction pictures? Us.
View this post on Instagram
One guy tweeted:
“Black Twitter this black twitter that…the real n***as that been on Twitter don’t really give 2 s***s about Elon Musk buying twitter, mfs gon rejoice if [it] becomes the [W]ild [W]ild [W]est again.
In response to Musk buying the platform for $44 billion, Jack Dorsey, creator of Twitter stated:
The idea and service is all that matters to me, and I will do whatever it takes to protect both. Twitter as a company has always been my sole issue and my biggest regret. It has been owned by Wall Street and the ad model. Taking it back from Wall Street is the correct first step.
Dorsey continued:
In principle, I don’t believe anyone should own or run Twitter. It wants to be a public good at a protocol level, not a company. Solving for the problem of it being a company however, Elon is the singular solution I trust. I trust his mission to extend the light of consciousness.
— jack⚡️ (@jack) April 26, 2022
As previously reported, the Twitter buyout will officially finalize later this year. According to CNN, the deal will take the company private, and the billionaire has become one of Twitter’s largest shareholders. CNN also stated that shareholders will receive $54.20 in cash for each share of Twitter stock they own.
