Why Are Black TikTok Creators on Strike?

Black TikTok creators are on strike in light of the ongoing racial injustice in the United States that has been highlighted in recent weeks. The strike was organized by influencer and entrepreneur @TheRealDayDay, who took to TikTok last week to explain why black creators should take a stand against the platform.

The goal of the strike is for TikTok to address its lack of diversity, both in terms of its staff and creators, as well as its algorithms which often fail to surface content from black creators. As well as taking a break from posting on TikTok, many black creators are using their platforms to start conversations about racism and discrimination. They have also called for other creators and users to join them in boycotting the platform for a day or two each week.

This isn’t the first time that TikTok has come under fire for its lack of diversity. In 2020, a group of influencers known as “TikTokers of Color” created an open letter asking for more representation from the platform. The letter was signed by over 1,500 people and sent directly to executives at TikTok but so far there has been no response from the company.

Since then, there have been reports that suggest that black creators are being underpaid or ignored by brands looking for influencer collaborations on the platform. This highlights an even bigger issue with how Black creatives are treated within online spaces.

The Strike Is Working

The strike is already having an impact; some brands have taken notice and are now taking steps to ensure they are working with more diverse influencers, while others have committed to making sure their ad campaigns feature more diverse faces. As well as this, some companies have even pledged donations towards causes related to social justice and anti-racism initiatives.

While it’s too early to tell if these actions will lead to real change within the platform, it does show that there is a movement towards increased representation within digital spaces and that Black voices are being heard.

Conclusion – Why Are Black TikTok Creators on Strike?

Black TikTok creators are striking due to lack of diversity on the platform both in terms of its staff and algorithms which often fail to surface content from black creators. They are also seeking better representation within digital spaces and want companies investing in ad campaigns featuring diverse faces rather than just white ones. The strike has already had an impact with some companies taking notice and pledging donations towards social justice causes; however only time will tell if this is enough for real change within the platform.