Active bystanders and social media: how they were used to bring us closer to justice

Yesterday was a lesson for humanity. In case you missed it, here’s what happened. When I woke up, I opened Facebook and learned about the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery on February 23, 2020. By the time I went to bed, two men were arrested and charged for his murder.

It is apparent that Ahmaud was killed for no reason other than the color of his skin. And so far, the justice system has failed him and his family. Everything about his death is a tragedy. And the events that occurred yesterday cannot make his death any less painful for his family, or for the community. I want to be clear to not take anything away from them.

But what I saw yesterday was a victorious display of our power when we work together. Yesterday, the world of social media used its collective voice to unite against racism and injustice. Yesterday, strangers across the country united in outrage to right a wrong. Yesterday, we united and proved the power that we wield. We can affect change. Not by shouting at the wind, but by taking action and demanding justice. Yesterday, we worked together, and we were unrelenting .

Our work is not done. This is a big step in the right direction, but the fight towards justice for Ahmaud is not over. Far too often we see the acquittal of the murderers of black men and women. The systemic inequities in our criminal justice system need to be reformed. But that will not begin unless we, again, unite our voices and demand justice. Ahmaud needs us. We all need each other.

Yesterday, we improved upon the world we are living in. What will we do today?