Messenger has a couple of new additions to help users celebrate Black History Month, including new stickers for both Messenger and Messenger Kids. There’s also a new initiative to help boost Black creators, as well as an expanded capacity to share the stories of influential people within the Black community.

Know The Culture

The main project is a new video series that aims to amplify conversations around Black history, particularly about the impact of the Black community on modern culture.

Messenger explains:

“In the coming weeks, we’ll celebrate the stories of Black voices, artists, and small businesses that make an impact and inspire us all – with the goal of sparking conversation. Not just this February but everyday, we hope to encourage people to talk about stories that inspire them.”

The key emphasis here is that Messenger wants to broaden the recognition of Black History Month, extending conversations around the influence of Black culture to more audiences, instead of simply limiting the potential and scope of the movement through isolated and “localized” celebrations. We believe the phrase “You can be Black even if you ain’t” summarizes the idea well.

This is an important step taken by Messenger and one that delivers a crucial message, for though racial inequality has been greatly reduced over the years, many Black creators continue to face significant barriers that prevent them from enjoying the full range of benefits and acknowledgment that their White peers do. There’s just something inherently wrong with the notion that highly qualified creators are not getting the growth they want and deserve just because of the color of their skin – an issue born of systemic limitations.

On that note, these new video stories should help provide Black creators with more capacity to better highlight and showcase their content, helping provide more insights and facilitating a deeper understanding of their culture and influence. To add, Messenger is also adding a bunch of special stickers that were designed in collaboration with artist Jon Key. Messenger Kids will also be partaking in the event, backed with stickers and frames that encourage young users to also take part in the cultural celebrations.

The Wrap

Acknowledging Black History Month is a key step for any social platform, whose individual reach and exposure contribute to the greater awareness and recognition of such a significant cultural movement. More awareness often leads to deeper, more relevant discussions that could help get more people to consider the perspective on societal division.

Highlighting such elements puts Messenger in a good position to shift long-standing narratives, allowing for the dissolving of barriers that others may not even be aware of. Moving forward, it’s one of the more inclusive approaches to take as the next stage of digital connection would greatly benefit and stay true to its essence with fewer walls to impede real, seamless interaction.

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Sources 

https://bit.ly/3BcxNgI