March 16th 2024.
In March of 2024, Hulu released a trailer for their upcoming docuseries, "Black Twitter: A People's History". The series aimed to explore the cultural impact and significance of Black Twitter, a community of Black individuals on the social media platform, through the eyes of its contributors and participants. However, not everyone in the Black Twitter community was convinced that the story of Black Twitter could be accurately represented in just three hours. Some were also critical of the individuals chosen to discuss Black Twitter in the series.
The series premiered at SXSW in Austin on the same night as the trailer release, with many of the contributors sharing the announcement post on their own social media accounts. However, this also sparked some criticism from members of the current iteration of Black Twitter. Some questioned if the non-famous members of Black Twitter, who are often the ones driving the conversations and trends on the platform, were given a voice in the series.
As reported by Complex, the docuseries was based on a 2021 Wired series by Jason Parham. It was directed by Prentice Penny, known for his work on the show "Insecure" and who had recently signed a deal with Onyx. This was just the first of many projects Penny would work on with the production company. Despite receiving some backlash before its release, Penny defended the series in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He explained that he wanted to include a diverse range of voices in the series, from journalists and professors to comedians and activists. For him, Black Twitter is a level playing field where everyone can share their thoughts and jokes, regardless of their fame or status.
Some criticized the decision to publicly document Black Twitter on a platform owned by a white company. But for Penny, this criticism was short-sighted. He believed that it was important to document and protect the cultural phenomena, traditions, and stories of Black Twitter, rather than keeping them hidden and exclusive. This sentiment was echoed by Gerrick Kennedy, who tweeted about the importance of preserving our stories and passing them down for future generations.
Penny further discussed the series at SXSW, explaining that when he first read the Wired article, he saw the power of Black Twitter and its impact on society. He compared it to the way his mother talks about the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting the significance and influence of this online community. Parham, who played a key role in shaping the docuseries, also spoke about the challenges of documenting something that is constantly evolving and changing. He described it as the beauty of Black Twitter and its ability to adapt and reshape itself, which is deeply rooted in Black culture.
In the end, the docuseries aimed to shed light on the incredible community of Black Twitter and its impact on society. It sparked important discussions about the representation and documentation of Black culture and the power of social media in shaping our world. As Black Twitter users continue to thrive and evolve, their digital presence and influence will continue to make a significant impact on our society.
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