from ratchet to revolution

From Ratchet to Revolution

Social Media, Technology, and Black Student Activism

African Black CoalitionBlack Student Leadership

Training

University of California, BerkeleySeptember 14, 2013

RATCHET MEDIA‘Oooh, she ratchet’

NIGGASBITCHES Be like

“When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions.”

“If you teach the Negro that he has accomplished as much good as any other race he will aspire to equality and justice without regard to race. Such an effort would upset the program of the oppressor in Africa and America.”

Carter G. Woodson – Mis-Education of the Negro

‘THE MEDIA’Who controls ‘the media’?

THE BLACK PRESS‘Soldiers without Swords’

TWITTER REVOLUTION?

“the spirit of the people is greater than the man’s technology”- Huey P. Newton

EMMITT &RODNEY &OSCAR &TRAYVON

#BlackatCal

BLACK STUDENT MEDIA‘To Plead our own Cause’

3%

48%

Black Students

Feel race is disrespected

Black Media Use

• TV primary source• High use of mobile media• “Black Twitter”• Laptops popular• Youth (generally) high interest in news

Media Access

New Media• Online Videos• Websites & Blogs

Tradition• TV• Newspapers• Radio

• Word of Mouth– Class announcements– Mass text messages– Posters & flyers

Original Media

Technology & Internet Access

• Laptops• Wireless Internet

Platforms

• 83% have mp3 players• <50% have AM/FM radios

Mobile

• 81% students use phones for Internet• 91% of students who use phones for Internet

also news-related websites• 75% of students have a Smartphone

Social Media• 92% Facebook• 46% Twitter• 35% LinkedIn• 19% Tumblr

Info Awareness

• 35% not informed about California news• 35% uninformed about campus opportunities• 29% uninformed about major-related news

News Interests

• 94% “Black Community”• 83% Education• 81% U.S. news• 79% Local• 79% World• 75% Health

Campus Media

• Daily Cal– Print: 27% read weekly– Web: 54% never visit site

• KALX– 17% listen occassionally

• Onyx Express– 56% report reading magazine

black information ecosystem

• to combat alienation & isolation• build self and collective pride & consciousness• Fight injustice

Recommendations

• Onyx Express– Central hub community of information• Website• Use Social Media

• Central event calendar through AASD• Media Training Class• Replicate on other UC Campuses

Facebook.com/ONYXEXPRESS

?

#BSLT2013

Principles of Ma’atTruthJusticeHarmonyBalanceOrderReciprocityPropriety

#ucabc?

Reginald Jamesr.j@berkeley.eduReginaldjames.info