Never to be underestimated or duplicated, #blacktwitter brought many entertaining and politically charged conversations to social media in 2014. From the public’s reaction to Pharrell calling himself the “new black” to the support of peaceful protests for Michael Brown and Eric Garner, the comments from this powerful online community were nothing short of amazing.
What is Black Twitter, you ask? Salon’s Feminista Jones defines it as “a collective of active, primarily African-American Twitter users who have created a virtual community that participates in continuous real-time conversations.” Whether it’s a major moment in entertainment, pop culture, or sociopolitical issues, if it happened, Black Twitter had something to say about it.
This collective community of users has no filter, and if you’re easily offended, consider yourself warned. With 2014 in our rearview, here are some of the biggest conversations that happened on Black Twitter last year. 2015 better bring it.
#NewBlack
The “new black” idea was conceived and expressed by Pharrell during his interview with Oprah in April. “The new black doesn’t blame other races for our issues. The new black dreams and realizes that it’s not a pigmentation, it’s a mentality,” he explained. “It’s either going to work for you or it’s going to work against you and you’ve got to pick which side you’re gonna be on.” His comments left Twitter fuming:
Pharrell you are not New Black, you are RICH and therefore insulated from the problems affecting the rest of the Same Old Blacks. — New Money Machinko (@MeLaMachinko) April 16, 2014
I like @Pharrell but please #NewBlack ? More like #UncleTom mentality of a wealthy #PostModernNegro living his dream in #PostRacismAmerica — Lee Jasper (@LeeJasper) April 19, 2014
I’mma need @Oprah to rehash this @Pharrell #newblack assimilation, white gaze appeasing, color blindness crap. — Gazi Kodzo (@GodGazi) April 20, 2014
#ImSorryImNotIdrisElba
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After hearing his wife rant about wanting Idris Elba, Instagram user @Nova_Isig wrote complaining about the (attractive and talented) actor. The poem later went viral, with people making fun on a man sounding so hurt and intimidated by the actor. Elba eventually responded himself.
Idris Elba didn’t stop & pick up them tampons from CVS. I did. — Michael Felder (@InTheBleachers) February 18, 2014
Idris Elba didn’t help you mix the olive, coconut and castor oil with honey to help you make your hair luxurious. I did. — Jiggy Papi. (@CleezyTaughtU) February 18, 2014
Idris Elba didn’t tell you that your braids were nice even though he knew you were committing hate crimes against your edges …I did that — No Relation (@TheCosby) February 18, 2014
Life is hard when you have to compete with someone who looks like he just stepped out of a Bond film.
#SNL
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Congrats to #SasheerZamata @thesheertruth on joining @nbcsnl ‘Saturday Night Live’ #SNL !!!!! Have FUN 😃
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) January 7, 2014
There are so many black people on #SNL right now It’s amazing is this a dream?? — Skull Deaded??? (@ambrrr) January 19, 2014
@mikekelton @thesheertruth Everything about this episode has been nothing short of inspiring. Dreams come true, work for them #SasheerOnSNL
— Brita James (@BritaJames) January 19, 2014
#DangerousBlackKids
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Jamie Nesbitt Golden kicked off #DangerousBlackKids, response to a society that often sees unarmed black kids as a threat, after the Michael Dunn verdict, in which Dunn, 47, was found guilty of murdering of 17-year-old Jordan Davis over loud music coming from Davis’ vehicle.
Here’s potential future threat to society walking into the living room. #dangerousblackkids pic.twitter.com/JAmLnNFBpW — Fed-Up Capricorn. (@thewayoftheid) February 16, 2014
#DangerousBlackKids is about showing our humanity. Respectability has not saved us & will not save us. We’re all in this together. — Mikki Kendall (@Karnythia) February 16, 2014
Look white people, a gang on their way to recess. #dangerousblackkids pic.twitter.com/qB0EiO72Sg — The Negress (@ericabrazelton) February 16, 2014
This one appears to be threatening that white man. Use caution http://t.co/BwEo2hKGgi #DangerousBlackKids — Beyoncé Pad Thai (@miss_hellion) February 16, 2014
#BenzinoShot
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When you tell your mom you’re too sick for school and she ain’t buying it pic.twitter.com/LG0UaAnGt6
— Desus Nice (@desusnice) March 30, 2014
pic.twitter.com/eyaELrW9TW Benzino got shot at his mama’s funeral and had time for a GAWTDAMN SELFIE. — Kimmie Taylor (@KBLXkimmie) March 30, 2014
Still can’t belive that Benzino photo is real.. Looked like him and Dave Mays were in a play based on Lazirus and Jesus. — James Van Der Fleek (@BosNaud) March 30, 2014
#DonaldSterling
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Damn Donald Sterling banned for life!!! He’s almost 80 so that’s about 2 weeks!!! #TeamDl — DL Hughley (@RealDLHughley) April 29, 2014
I feel sorry for my friends Coach Doc Rivers and Chris Paul that they have to work for a man that feels that way about African Americans. — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 26, 2014
Donald T Sterling is a flat out Racist….he will never see another dollar from me!!! This is disgusting….he … http://t.co/BGfowaRPix — Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) April 26, 2014
Sterling and his GF sound like they’re reading a wack play script. lmao!! — Chuck D (@MrChuckD) April 27, 2014
#BringBackOurGirls
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In April, extremist Muslim group Boko Haram kidnapped over 270 schoolgirls in northern Nigeria. #BringBackOurGirls was first used on social media by Ibrahim M. Abdullahi to spread awareness for the tragedy, and help aid in the return of those kidnapped. The hashtag brought an outcry of support for finding these women including First Lady Michelle Obama. Even though roughly 50 escaped, 276 are still missing according to the CBC.
I’m thankful for #BlackTwitter because if it wasn’t for you all this #BringBackOurGirls issue would have never been brought to the media. — Africana WomaNINJA (@MelanieCoMcCoy) May 8, 2014
Our prayers are with the missing Nigerian girls and their families. It’s time to #BringBackOurGirls. -mo pic.twitter.com/glDKDotJRt — The First Lady (@FLOTUS) May 7, 2014
It can’t happen soon enough. #BringBackOurGirls pic.twitter.com/Jf97fQUd7N — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 8, 2014
#WhatJayZSaidToSolange
[Photo Credit: Splash News]
hop out da elevator like: pic.twitter.com/BNmLKZEBJL — L.A.S (@SartoriallyInc) May 12, 2014
Lmao Best One I Seen Yet! 😆 #WhatJayZSaidToSolange pic.twitter.com/CE8P8cA9St — GOUDA (@RunninMyMouthh) May 12, 2014
Jay-Z was duckin Solange like: pic.twitter.com/BaQAUkU1SC — SM (@WorkOfMiro) May 12, 2014
#JeremyMeeks
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Jeremy Meeks is a convicted felon whose mugshot went viral in June after the Stockton, Calif. police posted it on their Facebook page. It inspired the hashtag #FelonCrushFriday, where pictures of felons Twitter users considered attractive were shared. (The hype around his photo also led to reports that Meeks landed a modeling contract, which was eventually proven to be false.) This man was never dreamy to us, but many others seemed to think so:
Hottest felon ever! #jeremymeeks pic.twitter.com/GUhNCSAT85
— Erica MillerTime (@3allin0ut) January 1, 2015
Been hanging on to this for a month now. Lol not like he gonna reply… e famous now! #prisonwivesclub #jeremymeeks pic.twitter.com/Dvxy95dv47
— Mrs.Taylor (@KrissBrowne) November 5, 2014
😍😍😍😍😍😍 I know he has done bad things but he is so f***ing hot #JeremyMeeks pic.twitter.com/djzC5eBWdA — ♡ Mariam Traore ♡ (@OfficialMariamT) September 2, 2014
#JustinBieberRacist
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Hanging out with black people, co-opting their culture, even sleeping with and dating them doesn’t make you not racist. #justinbieberracist — Jeremy Helligar (@Theme4Gr8Cities) June 11, 2014
He made a song with Migos so this doesnt matter RT @ComplexMag: Old video of Justin Bieber telling a racist joke has surfaced — Desus Nice (@desusnice) June 1, 2014
Don’t worry @justinbieber Super Negro @FloydMayweather will save you! #JustinBieberRacist pic.twitter.com/NbSMy4yT1Q — Prince Cinque (@StudentWarrior) June 2, 2014
#KekePalmer
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The actress received backlash for her comments on Ferguson and Michael Brown that she now describes as being naïve. Still, Black Twitter let Palmer have it when she showed up to the Ferguson protests in a skirt and heels:
Hi @KekePalmer. This isn’t how you dress when trying to convince folks who are hurting you’re REALLY there to help. pic.twitter.com/IJUVw5hazi — April (@ReignOfApril) August 18, 2014
Keke Palmer really went to the protest like she was on Rip The Runway — The Notorious T.I.M (@BionicBombshell) August 18, 2014
Keke Palmer wore some damn stilettos to Ferguson. She wasn’t there to help. She was there for the photo op. — Larry Beyince (@DragonflyJonez) August 18, 2014
#EricaMena, #BowWow
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I ain’t even hatin on Bow Wow. Every nigga falls in love with a full blown whore once in his life.
— Tony Rock (@TONYROCK) November 19, 2014
Erica Mena is marrying bow wow. I dunno who dropped standards here pic.twitter.com/ukrPc331q5 — kenna (@kennagq) September 22, 2014
Lol, lil bow wow….You forgot your height fam? RT“@smoss: @TONYROCK ill have a talk w/ you when i see you. Face to face cuz” — Guwop™ (@MattyRS_) November 19, 2014
Now wow checked Tony Rock for talking reckless….. I can’t take bow wow serious tho. I tried. — Ryan_Nicole_ (@Minnie__804) November 19, 2014
#NotDemBells
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God help the #ShadyAsian extra on this #SavedByTheBell movie. When Twitter finds him it’s a wrap. #Unauthorized #NotDemBells — SoWrongForThat.Com (@sowrong4that) September 2, 2014
Yeah Screech forgot about that sex tape. But the rest of the world hasn’t. #Unauthorized #NotDemBells — BlackGirlNerds (@BlackGirlNerds) September 2, 2014
Welp. Lifetime coulda kept that. BUT…this still makes me happy. #LisaAndZack #SavedByTheBell #NotDemBells pic.twitter.com/1AWKMAlNJj — Mal Poli (@HotToddy19) September 2, 2014
#RavenSymone
[Photo Credit: Getty Images]
Raven Symone knows she’s famous for being on arguably the greatest black sitcom of all time right? — Parappa Tha Trappa (@GuyNamedTawanda) October 6, 2014
The collective side eye/shade being directed Raven-Symone’s way right now could power cities. Nay, NATIONS. — Bim Adewunmi (@bimadew) October 6, 2014
For ONCE I want these New Blacks to keep it funky. Just say “I’m too rich to be bothered with being saddled with blackness,” Raven Symone. — New Money Machinko (@MeLaMachinko) October 6, 2014
#AaliyahMovie
[Photo Credit: Getty Images]
Lifetime aired an unauthorized story of Aaliyah’s life (Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B) based off of Christopher Farley’s book Aaliyah More Than a Woman. Along with upsetting her family, producers did not having the rights to her music, leaving fans feeling empty, offended, and confused by the film. Timbaland, longtime producer and friend of the singer, went in on the movie and the executive producer Wendy Williams, while the questionable casting sparked epic Lifetime movie memes:
I know Aaliyah looking down from heaven like pic.twitter.com/1pF1U9CaGs — Kristen White (@KolorMeKris) November 16, 2014
Y’all think the Aaliyah movie is bad lets not forget the Michael Jackson movie with Flex Washington pic.twitter.com/2GE3hYrubV — King C☥ (@Ricky___Rozzay) November 16, 2014
Aijuswanahusel: The Story of Musiq Soulchild #LifetimeBiopicspic.twitter.com/WpbRdPG3F5 — Phonte (@phontigallo) November 16, 2014
See a clip from Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B, below.
#SolangeWedding
[Photo Credit: Getty Images]
These Solange wedding pictures are going to make me depressed. Wtf? How can she look so celestial? — Bantu. (@BeingUpile) November 16, 2014
Wow Solange’s wedding images are epic. So much life and mood and texture and the palette is dreamy. It’s Black ethereality and gloriousness. — Trudy (@thetrudz) November 17, 2014
The level of slay in this photo just will not leave my memory. How could she? #SolangeWedding pic.twitter.com/c6rkIOG2qM — Ward (@kinwa_7) November 20, 2014
#BlackLivesMatter, #HandsUpDontShoot, #ICantBreathe
[Photo Credit: Getty Images]
i am deeply disappointed in the non-indictment of the police officer who killed Eric Garner. The Dept. of Justice must step in now. — Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) December 3, 2014
s/o to these #STLouisRams players for standing up for what’s right! #salute #JusticeForMikeBrown #HandsUpDontShoot pic.twitter.com/vzjsiOEG8u — nicholas (@nicksdot) December 1, 2014
I’m ashamed. Mostly because I’m no longer shocked at things now-a-days. Nothing is shocking. #EricGarner — Questlove Gomez (@questlove) December 3, 2014
Eric Garner died cuz he was selling cigs by the single. That’s a crime in NYC. Death is inexcusable. Police behavior sure looked inexcusable — John Nolte (@NolteNC) December 3, 2014
#ElizabethLauten
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That moment when #blacktwitter freedom of speeches your ass out of a job. @DCGopGirl is now #GoneGirl #ElizabethLauten #classless — Fitz D (@The_Fitz_D) December 2, 2014
@DCGopGirl wanted Sasha & Malia to be Classy like her… #ElizabethLauten #BlackTwitter #DontSend4US #WeCame4U pic.twitter.com/dj7npF0Px0 — Che’ Lovett (@bipolarboo) December 1, 2014
Don’t forgot this either.She’s an equal opportunity offender #Ferguson #p2 #ElizabethLauten #BlackTwitter #UnitedBlue pic.twitter.com/0olWpMtdKS — & then there’s Maude (@proudliberalmom) December 1, 2014
[Photo Credit: Getty Images]