On October 27, 2022, Elon Musk completed his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter, and within just 12 hours of his ownership, the social media platform saw significant spikes in the use of racist, antisemitic, homophobic, and transphobic terms.
The use of the N-word increased by 500%, antisemitic symbols flooded Twitter feeds, and thousands of accounts began coordinating anti-LGBTQ harassment and threats. Accounts participating in this surge of hateful conduct thanked Musk for creating an environment for them to “ramp up” their efforts.
Social media, and Twitter specifically, has a massive influence over people, politics, and broader society. With that concentration of power and influence now being owned by Musk, the social network once designed to connect the world without barriers is becoming a platform for hate under the guise of free speech.
The Winters Group is choosing to step away from the platform to protect ourselves and our communities while intentionally putting our energy and efforts into building justice-centered communities. Under Elon Musk, Twitter is not the place for that. We encourage you to consider your participation on Twitter and how it influences the impact you create. For those interested in taking actions to disrupt hate and actualize justice, continue following The Winters Group on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
