Social Media Platforms need to step in
Photo courtesy of dole777 on Unsplash
When you take the time to look at social media objectively, it’s impossible not to recognize the great steps that it has allowed society to take, in terms of communication and connection to those around us both near and far. It has given people a voice and provided them with a platform that is heard by others.
It must be recognized that not every voice is created equal, in the sense that some are louder than others. It is to those louder voices that most people, if not all, will gravitate toward.
Regarding social media, this volume is reflected in one’s following. Those with a larger following will be more easily heard when compared to those without. However, with high volume comes responsibility, as far more people will hear your thoughts. Yet, there comes a point when someone must be told to be quiet – and who better to do so than the one who gives the voice?
Unfortunately, controversial comments from people in high places with large platforms have become very common. Kanye West, with his blatant display of antisemitism, or Kyrie Irving, with his retweeting of links to sites that contain hate speech, are two prominent examples.
What bothers me most is not only what is being said but the fact that it is allowed to be said for so long. There comes a time when the platforms themselves have to step in and say, “That’s enough.”
When they do say it, they have to mean it. It’s bewildering how, after repeated showcases of unprofessional and outright offensive comments, public figures are still left to their own devices. After backlash, celebrities commonly take the post down and release a Notes app apology rather than educating themselves on the matter.
They continue to live their lives and post again as if nothing happened, many times receiving a slap on the wrist rather than removal from the platform.
West has been the target of multiple restrictions by social media platforms, yet he is always found in the place where he was last seen. When will it finally be enough? Social media is not the only one to blame; following his most recent ban, West was featured on an episode of Drink Champs, a show hosted by artist N.O.R.E, where he was interviewed and, as expected, made some egregious comments about George Floyd and his feelings on “White Lives Matter.”
I don’t know whether to be upset or just disappointed; it’s gotten to the point where you simply get what you asked for. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and West is almost always on fire. Yet he is consistently given a platform one way or another, and people remain surprised when his remarks come out.
It should be noted that it is not entirely his fault, but that’s not to say that he is void of all responsibility. When given a platform, one is going to speak, but it is the responsibility of the audience to hold whoever is speaking accountable for their actions. It is not merely up to fans or supporters to speak out against his actions, but it is also the responsibility of the platforms themselves.
It is about time that something is done about it. Look at the case of Andrew Tate: he built an audience off of giving advice and spreading his beliefs. When he was caught spreading offensive and misogynistic ideas, he was banned indefinitely. It doesn’t have to be instant, it simply must be done.
The response to this situation should set a precedent for the future. It’s time that social media platforms understand that it’s on them to act. It’s not enough that they simply do not condone what is being said.
