White Youths’ Allyship on Instagram During the 2020 Black Lives Matter Movement: A Photovoice-Inspired Qualitative Study

Abstract

During the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement resurgence in 2020, some white youth engaged in BLM-related allyship online. Using photovoice-inspired methodology and reflexive thematic analysis, we examined Instagram posts and reflections from 29 white youth with college experience (ages 18–22; 72% women; 7% transgender or gender diverse; 58% LGBQ+) from across the USA. First, we identified overarching content and motives for white youths’ posts. Second, we used a developmental model of allyship to identify three dimensions of white allyship on Instagram: outward facing allyship focused on critiquing other white people, allyship focused on action within the confines of white supremacy, and allyship focused on solidarity with the Black community and BLM. Findings highlight that white youth demonstrate emerging allyship behaviors on Instagram, while also suggesting that some behaviors, like focusing exclusively on change among other white people and/or on within-system change, may reinforce white supremacy. White youth can engage further in allyship development to fully support racial justice efforts led by people of color.

Keywords

white youth social media Black Lives Matter allyship anti-racism online activism

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