Black Networks Matter: The Role of Interracial Contact and Social Media in the 2020 Black Lives Matter Protests

Scholars have long recognized the role of interpersonal networks in mobilizing social movements, but questions remain. The 2020 Black Lives Matter protests show that weak and cross-cleavage ties among outsiders enabled the movement to evolve from a small provocation into a massive national mobilization. Black people mobilized one another through social media and spurred their non-Black friends to protest by sharing their personal encounters with racism, departing from the established literature regarding the civil rights movement.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 94 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Scholars have long acknowledged the significant role of interpersonal networks in the mobilization of social movements. However, numerous questions persist regarding the nature and dynamics of these networks. This Element aims to address these concerns by theorizing about three dimensions of ties: emotionally strong or weak, movement insider or outsider, and ingroup or cross-cleavage.

The survey data on the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests provide valuable insights into the dynamics of these networks. The authors of the study found that weak and cross-cleavage ties among outsiders played a crucial role in enabling the movement to evolve from a small provocation into a massive national mobilization. Specifically, they discovered that Black individuals mobilized one another through social media, sharing their personal experiences with racism and urging their non-Black friends to join the protests. This departure from the established literature regarding the civil rights movement, which emphasizes strong, movement-internal, and racially homogenous ties, highlights the changing nature of networks that mobilize in the social media era.

The findings of this study have important implications for our understanding of social movements and their mobilization. They suggest that the strength and composition of interpersonal networks can influence the trajectory and outcomes of social movements. Moreover, the changing nature of these networks in the social media era raises questions about the strategies and tactics used by movement organizers and participants.

In conclusion, the study on the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests provides valuable insights into the role of interpersonal networks in mobilizing social movements. By theorizing about three dimensions of ties and examining the survey data on the protests, the authors shed light on the changing nature of these networks and their impact on the outcomes of social movements. This research contributes to our understanding of the complex dynamics of social change and offers valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers working to promote social justice and equality.

Weight: 149g
ISBN-13: 9781009415866