Misinformation, Conspiracy, Revolution and WhatsApp Aunties

[JayDot500]

Sigh.

Okay, let me just begin with a disclaimer; I don't pretend to know it all. Right now, we have been fortunate enough to witness people of all races band together in solidarity against police brutality, systemic racism, plain ole racism, colourism, and all the other bits that we need to address in society. All for the goal of black people to experience life without the disadvantage we endure due to our skin colour.

So naturally, we are more likely to question things that we used to side eye but do nothing. Okay we'd complain, but usually we'd not take things further. We are lifting ourselves out of the fog of 'status quo' and I'm here for it! Finally.

Today, an woman I know forwarded this message to me. See attached

I feel a growing sense of murky territory evolving around me. Propagated by the forwarding power of our loved ones, are we in "danger" from all of these threats these messages talk of, or are we in danger of becoming too sceptical for our own good?

I want us to be in control of our own businesses, what we eat, what we sign up for, what we put in our hair etc. But I also want us to enjoy healthy attitudes towards... Everything.

This past month, my dad (hypertensive, overweight, diabetic) has decided that Covid is a conspiracy and he'll top up his immune system, go wherever he wants to go, and trust in Jah... Nothing wrong with all of that but can't he exercise a bit of restraint in the current climate? Must it be all or nothing? This is not specifically a black problem, but his was definitely born out of conversations with his peers.

5G is Covid, poisonous garlic, microchips as the mark of the beast... You know what I'm talking about (hopefully). I see all of this interwoven with racism and such, which amplifies the message. Some of these things may be true, what do I know... but when I ask for citation or sources, nothing, or a youtube video. Mostly, the ones who forward this stuff to me won't know where it originated. I had one man's panicked email (sent to me as a screenshot on whatsapp), saying that the gov are going to go into schools and vaccinate black children. We should tell our kids to say no. I had to think about it for a while, then researched the name of the dude who had written it, there's not much available about him, but he seemed to be a public figure of some kind. He even said in his email that he doesn't know the source. But the person who sent it to me really believed it.

I don't want black people to be misinformed, that's my main issue here. Many people I know have already said they're not going to get the vaccine, but not for the reason I'd assumed (too rushed, how do we know it'll work). No, it's because vaccines themselves are all unnecessary and evil. As long as we eat right, and exercise, we will be okay and Covid won't touch us (which is absolutely their right to do, but then I look at my dad and wonder).

So to conclude, I'm a sleep deprived mum so perhaps this isn't the most concise post, so my apologies. I don't want us to trust everything blindly and without question. I encourage it! But sometimes, I just sit and wonder how we balance misinformation/incorrect information with constructive criticism of the status quo to protect our people.

Of course, add your own forwarded messages if you'd like

I don't know if it's ok to bring this up here- ignore me if not. I read your thread hoping for something that would explain/help. Two black women I know, really inspirational women, own businesses, very positive aspirational women, have been posting strangely on FB recently. It sounds like what I'd usually dismiss as conspiracy nonsense, phrases like 'in these times', 'open your eyes', 'if you don't say something your children will be next'. It's not clear if it's about racism, police violence, or coronavirus.

I don't know them very well, so didn't say anything. Should I have? I'm afraid if I say 'are you ok, you sound very upset' I'll be branded insensitive for not understanding because I'm not black.

Your posts suggest there are conspiracy type things circulating in some communities, that I may not have seen.

@creativecringe yes! Thank you, I will!

@picklemewalnuts honestly, I believe some of those posts are meant to encourage and empower us (black people) to reject our usual place in western society, and strive for excellence and autonomy. The messages you've quoted are likely in tune with what black people have experienced surrounding the death of George Floyd, I've two black sons, and yes, I don't want them to be next. In essence, the status quo is unacceptable.

But sometimes, the message is too vague and hinting at some bigger conspiracy that I cannot make sense of. I just don't engage.

Thank you. The world feels so volatile at the moment. It's hard to know when to step up and when to stand well clear!

And yes, the status quo is unacceptable.

@picklemewalnuts I guess my original post describes a fear I have that's on the opposite end of the fears brought to light in 'these times'. I fear that we (the black community) may hurt ourselves if we grow so cynical, we end up unvaccinated, unprotected, miseducated etc. I want us to embrace the importance of fact checking, evidence, our truth. But I'm one black woman, I can't speak for all. But I know many of us share the same frustrations, but I know many who would disagree with me.

Our WhatsApp Aunties are in a league of their own though. We love them and block them with all our hearts. Oversharing is not caring 😂

Why did I write 'but" so many times tho

Sounds like a fabulous strong resource community when things work well. And an eyerolling frustration when they don't! I can see why you are concerned. It's a quandary!

15 years ago I was totally ignorant about everything you've mentioned. My kids were in a majority black school, and the (white) head educated me when I raised a couple of concerns. It was the start of addressing my unconscious bias, and Mumsnet arguments have helped me along the way.

It sounds like what I'd usually dismiss as conspiracy nonsense, phrases like 'in these times', 'open your eyes', 'if you don't say something your children will be next'. It's not clear if it's about racism, police violence, or coronavirus

It can be any of the above. I would say police brutally but 60% corona virus and immunisation. I think a lot of black people are scared and feel targeted. Not just in the uk but in some african countries. The two french doctors didnt help at all. Instead it fueld the fire. News reporters and Bill Gates are pushing already a group who feel targeted (He is great but how say words words matter). Constantly questioning why africans are not dying is not helpful when asked in a demeaning and surprised way. Black people are people.

These conversations take place on whatsupgroups. Take for example family group chat has about 50 people. 25 constant posters from around the world. They can go from talking about someone's child doing well or under achieving, weight problems or conspiracy theories to politics in African country where the particular group resides.

There is a lot of misunderstanding and fear. I don't know how that will be looked or how yo tackle it.

From the groupchats, everyone not living in britain is taking malaria tablets.

I am glad that now people believe the virus actually exist. That is growth.

Debates about Madagascar having the mecine is another one. Interesting in itself. And the politics around it.

Next step is to make people believe that unsafe immunisation will not be given to those who live in the UK.
I personally cannot say the same for poor countries based on immunisation history and personal experience. In England, I have no question when I need to be immunised for anything as long as know what it's for.

Constantly questioning why africans are not dying is not helpful when asked in a demeaning and surprised way. Black people are people

Amen! DH is Nigerian, he wondered if white people were upset his people were not dying. Then, separately, someone started sharing information via social media about drug trials in Africa with the title 'stop experimenting on our people', to which he looked it up and remarked 'people must think Africans are stupid. We can decide to enter ourselves into a drug trial the same way white people can decide to enter themselves into a drug trial. Na be the same trial now (it was the Oxford trial but in SA)'

The two french doctors didnt help at all. Instead it fueld the fire. News reporters and Bill Gates are pushing already a group who feel targeted (He is great but how say words words matter). Constantly questioning why africans are not dying is not helpful when asked in a demeaning and surprised way. Black people are people.

Those French doctors have a lot to answer for. It doesn't help even the BBC had an awful article that was titled something along the lines of people in Africa being too poor to die from COVID.

There is a lot of mistrust of the west on the continent and deservedly so. My family is from Southern Africa and were still colonised right up to the 80s as most of the South was (I know Ghana and Nigeria got independence much earlier), but it's literally a generation away for Gen Z and some millennial born into or just after their countries gained independence. The atrocities are fresh in people's minds.

There is almost a disappointment that Africa has not been hit as badly. Also sheds a light on the reason why black people in the West have been disproportionately affected is likely not due to genetic differences but environmental factors and systemic racism resulting in inequality like poor housing or access to healthcare etc.