Black Software author on technology’s role in racial justice

Digital Genealogy

Charlton McIlwain, a professor of media, culture, and communication at NYU, explores the digital genealogy of the Black Lives Matter movement. He explains how online spaces and social media have been instrumental in propelling the movement, tracing its roots back to the 1990s and even earlier. McIlwain notes that while the hashtag emerged in 2012, the foundation for such digital activism was laid much earlier, with communities leveraging networked environments to address racial justice issues 1.

It seemed to very much be pushed by what people were doing online in social media spaces and other connected technologies.

--- Charlton McIlwain

Nilay Patel highlights the long-standing relationship between Black communities and software, emphasizing the role of early pioneers in shaping today's digital platforms 2.

   

Black Pioneers

The early involvement of Black communities in the rise of the internet is a story often untold. Charlton McIlwain reveals how Black creators, from hobbyists to engineers, were integral to the digital landscape as early as the 1970s, challenging the notion that their participation began in the 1990s 3. This involvement laid the groundwork for future digital innovations and community building.

Somewhere through there, I met a man named William Murrell, and all of my conversations began the same way.

--- Charlton McIlwain

Nilay Patel discusses how platforms like Afronet served as early models for community creation, influencing how Black culture and communities are represented online today 4.

   

Community Impact

The role of Black culture in shaping digital communities is profound. Nilay Patel and Charlton McIlwain discuss how early internet platforms, like AOL, recognized the value of Black cultural products as foundational to the internet's growth 5. This recognition, however, did not always translate into sustained opportunities for Black entrepreneurs.

There was something about that moment, and I do think that there was something about being able to see in that moment the value of black cultural products.

--- Charlton McIlwain

Despite the initial investments, many Black-led initiatives did not evolve into larger enterprises, highlighting systemic challenges in the tech industry 5.