frenzy on social media distracted from the more important discussion of M-A’s history. Mediratta refl ected that she saw much of the republishing of her “ Circulating off ensive content online, even if under the guise of spreading awareness, may actually incite avoidable confl ict. ” post as “the coward’s way out.” In fact, circulating off ensive content online, even if under the guise of spreading awareness, may actually incite avoidable confl ict. Mediratta also said she suspected that many of the threatening direct messages she received, though not coming from someone she knew personally, originated from those who saw her posts second hand. Similarly, many in the M-A community were off ended when they saw pictures of the poster on social media with the caption obscured, but less so when they experienced the poster within its context. Identifying controversy is exciting, especially when the 14 identifi er can act as merely a messenger, therefore avoiding responsibility for the off ensive material. Th is can be especially disastrous when people do not know the whole story or purposely omit vital information from their posts with the intention to elicit an enraged reaction. In some cases of public shaming, comments by enraged critics become online harassment, and as harsh comments accumulate, others feel permitted to behave the same way. As outraged posts make their way around social media, strangers can comment on a situation they saw second hand. “ Too often people on social media don’t stop to wonder if they have the whole story because, unlike in real life, there are no repercussions if they are wrong. ” As they do not personally know the individual they are criticizing, they are often less empathetic in their language. Moreover, social media users may be able to elevate their own political correctness by denouncing what would be off ensive to some — although social media shamers are not usually of the group the content would off end. Proclaiming to be outraged by an issue can score virtue points, but in reality does nothing to solve the problem. In all three cases, the backlash on social media became another crisis, leaving little room for discussion about Kobe Bryant’s legacy, cultural appropriation, or race riots. Instead of resolving confl ict, such pile-ons actually give more visibility to the provocative incident. While it may feel productive in the moment, outrage culture ultimately distracts from the discussion of an important cause and leads to unnecessary harm. written by Violet Taylor and Izzy Leake designed by Amelia Wu illustrated by Karina Takayama
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