One would think that during the time of self-isolation, a pending lockdown and the massive outbreak of the corona virus, would somehow have a positive affect on our morals, understanding and beliefs that we all must be nicer and come together to fight off this unseen enemy. But from no one’s surprise or wonder, we as the defaulted beings and hostile mentality has risen into action due to this extra time on our hands.

And I use the words “we” and “our” very loosely, for its not all who have entered or dear I say re-entered, this level of stupidity and indecency. These dogmatic individuals that live amongst us, civilised human beings have voiced their views and opinions on the infamous app called TikTok.

Now, TikTok is a relatively new social media platform created by the Chinese video-sharing social networking service owned by ByteDance. This app was created for users to make fifteen seconds long videos and to have the addiction of social media usage to increase by automatically having the videos replay in a continuous loop; and not having the time-head (at the top of your phone screen) shown. Hence the name “TikTok”, for not knowing how much time is spent on the app. Additionally, on this new clout-chasing app, the people that use and upload content are commonly known as TikTokers.

At first this app, like others before it had some entertaining aspects of it and some cringy, shocking aspects also. However, TikTok has ultimately reached its all time low. Due to the racist and insensitive content being filmed and explored by numerous TikTokers and the commentaries underneath each video - in favour of their distasteful actions as way of comedy or popularity.

If you are not well informed about the racism being exposed on TikTok, to say it briefly, there are trends that some TikTokers have created where they would say “… now that all my Black People are here, how’s my form?” and then proceed in to imitate a person picking cotton. Symbolically, is a slap in the face with slavery reference on Black People’s history. And another trend, towards the Chinese people saying “… now that all my Asian people are here, how’s my form?” with them proceeding to throw a dog in an oven etc. This clout-chasing method or comedic appeal has stirred up trouble, an uproar if you will, in the news and attention of influencers of other social media platform to speak on. Even Twitter has now caught this trending racism from TikTok, whether it be addressing it or promoting it.

Now I bet you are wondering how does COVID-19 quarantine play into this intolerable digital discrimination against the Black community and other coloured minority communities; well, due to everyone being forced by the pandemic to remain indoors it has given a lot of people spare time to show their true forms and their way of thinking. As the old saying states “Give someone enough rope… and they will hang themselves”. I believe that during this quarantine, people are more and more wired on revealing who they really are, because they are now besides themselves with boredom, lack of control and/or freedom to leave their houses.

TikTok as well as other social media platforms are utilizing their powers to show disdain towards others’ history and values, that we (the minority within society) have worked so hard to achieve. This platform is indeed a huge threat to the progressive movement for anti-discrimination and equality for all, considering the generation that is primarily using it – is coming next. In my opinion, Generation Z should be discouraged from using this platform entirely. Its 2020, by now we all should have a firm grasp of what social media can and will do to our mental health.

We all know and understand that racism is wrong! We as a nation and even wider, as a society are beyond the point of contemplating whether something or someone is racist or not. Which brings me to my question, will racism ever be abolished?