Last week, we discussed the USPS and the Trump administration’s attempt to leverage a false narrative around mail-in voter fraud in order to justify cuts and undermine the election. As white folks fighting for racial justice, it’s important that we remain vigilant for misinformation being spread on multiple fronts — from science and medicine to politics and racial justice. Since we’re online now more than ever, attention-grabbing headlines can distract from the actual issues, creating devastating effects for individuals, communities, and even entire nations.
Disinformation campaigns — no longer the work of fringe ideologues — are increasingly used to leverage mainstream political power, with the same far-right groups spreading COVID misinformation fueling conspiracy theories surrounding the Black Lives Matter protests. Particularly troubling is how successful the radical right has become at providing “alternate facts” when it comes to key scientific issues such as COVID-19 and climate change — and sometimes these posts have no obvious political agenda or origin point. Often the messages are incoherent and come from an array of niche extremist groups, making them even harder to source and combat.
These sensationalized viral posts pull attention from real issues, encouraging a dangerous trend of outrage without evidence. For example, the recent explosion of #savethechildren across social media platforms led to rallies in multiple cities earlier this month. Both the QAnon and Pizzagate conspiracy theories are using the hashtag to spread false claims about sex trafficking by public figures since 2017. In practice, however, anti-trafficking policing disproportionately targets poor folks, migrants, and POC sex workers. These viral and overwhelmingly false conspiracy theories take away from the actual work that groups like GEMS, GLITS, and Lysistrata MCCF are doing to combat trafficking.
False information can also cause direct harm, as in the swatting of a BLM activist by the LAPD, with recent evidence showing that Black folks in the US have been specifically targeted in disinformation campaigns coming out of Russia since 2016. Not only have coronavirus conspiracy theories stoked xenophobia and anti-Asian racism, but they have dire impacts on the health of BIPOC communities most affected by the pandemic.
As white folks looking to dismantle white supremacy, where we put our energy and focus matters. It may be tempting to get involved in an online debate with a conspiracy theorist or vent frustration over the latest inflammatory post, but that will only further amplify the misinformation. It’s important to evaluate what we post: Even if it’s not a conspiracy, is it performative? Have we checked facts, found multiple sources, and actually read past the headline? Have you talked to family members and loved ones about their news sources, providing them with fact-checked, well-sourced information?
We are striving to better understand the ins and outs of the issues we care about, looking to those who have already been working in the movement for ways we can best support them. We also look for ways to connect with those around us to have these conversations. Not sure how to get involved? See the SURJ NYC calendar for upcoming Calling In workshops.
For more information on those and other ways to get involved, read on!
In solidarity,
SURJ NYC