Social Media Cheats, But for Now, I Am Here to Stay
By: Emily O. Weltman
Tags: Innovation, Bias, Women, Tech, Social Media

Now what?

If women want our content seen, the designers of these platforms ensure it won’t be. In fact, it was Cindy Gallop amplifying your Break-up article that made it to my feed, Dana. Your post, not so much. (It’s clearly content I’d want to read.)

Algorithms treat us like nagging wives. (I know because I track my post- views.) My posts with gender or anti-racism information get fewer views than any of my content about the g.d. election or the economy.

I posted only one LinkedIn article. I wrote about this very subject in July. I tried to sound the alarm: Someone do something, quick, or more women’s voices will be left out.

It had 2 views for the first several weeks; last I checked it had 25. I have 2500+ 1st connections.

So, why don’t we leave LinkedIn or Twitter (besides addiction)?

It makes us feel part of something bigger. We still find great people online, and many transfer IRL Like a bad job, we keep hoping it will get better. We’re actively looking for something better. Or we’re building it.

For me, during the pandemic, as well as being self-employed, it’s been key to my survival, (economic), and connection, (mental health). It’s been like one big water cooler moment.

And it’s how I (and others) met fellow blue-haired, take-me-for-who-I-am, DEI workplace advocate, Madison Butler.

“I am a Black, queer woman navigating the tech and startup world; it didn’t take long for me to realize that this was not a world that was created for me. My intent is to change the status quo that exists in corporate America. We are conditioned to believe there is a mold you have to fit into in order to be successful and that is just not true. I am committed to using my voice to create equitable spaces for marginalized communities.”

— Madison Butler

Madison is a prime example of a voice Linkedin should amplify. She’s a strong voice in workplace inclusion. She educates daily on showing up authentically, and how not to be racist or homophobic.

LinkedIn claims allyship; seemingly it’s performative. They briefly took down Madison’s account, seemingly for her pronouns. They somehow missed her on “LinkedIn’s Top 10 Equity in the Workplace” list of influencers, despite her “engagement”.

Biased tech and unclear community guidelines continue to harm Black women. Sharon Hurley, (writer of an anti-racism newsletter), spells out LinkedIn’s shadowbans perfectly. For women, many accounts are suspended for no clear reason, while right-wing trolls attack and harass with impunity.

Needless to say, Madison and I aren’t the only ones that have a love/hate with social media. Others are fed up with Black women’s censorship and gender bias too–Aaisha Joseph, Mervyn Kennedy-MacFoy, Tara Furiani, and John J. Cousens, and to name a few. Our efforts to build better workplaces have ironically often turned to LinkedIn.

Cindy Gallop, espoused similar frustration with social media’s uneven hand. A post announcing an IG live, of two fully clothed women sex-tech founders, was censored by Instagram for…for what? For alluding to nudity? Baffling. Along with her followers, Cindy is regularly “gobsmacked” by the sexist bias in social content.

Meanwhile, misogynist men can tweet over 20,000 blatant lies unfettered. This is why many vowed to log off social media after the election. How long will we use a platform that selectively amplifies ideas and straight-up silences Black women?

The debate continues, (if only in my head). I’m breaking up; it’s over. I make half-hearted declarations: I’m leaving you for good this time! Then I’m back discussing what would make social media better on these very same platforms. The irony is not lost on me.

So, LinkedIn, I’m putting some distance between us. We’re not over, but “we’re taking a break”. Till then, I’m playing “you’re gonna miss me when I’m gone” on repeat.

I’m forever grateful for my rich LinkedIn network. But, I work for myself now. Discrimination and lack of diverse voices are why I started my business in the first place. This uphill battle is a time suck; I would rather “Build Back [way] Better” than continue to point out what’s broken.

I want to grow my business, rather than fuel a multinational company’s bottom line. Bonus: I might actually reach my audience when I have something to say.

“F**k you. Pay me” image from Cindy Gallop

My contributions deserve compensation. At the moment I am an unpaid LinkedIn moderator, at best. And, why am I paying them $30/month?! As Cindy says, F**k you. Pay me.

Tech CEOs only keep us on their platforms because we’re free labor. Right now, LinkedIn reaps the benefits, whether or not they deem our words worthy. As Madison points out, we know we are worthy. Our words do matter, and Black lives fucking matter.

We have plenty to add to speech anthologies (and everywhere else). Women’s diatribes are essential to a full, accurate, inclusive history.

On behalf of the 51%, Dana, I thank you for ensuring our words transcend time, even as LinkedIn tries to disregard us. I’ll continue to join you, Cindy, Madison, Nandini, Joy, John, Mervyn, and countless others in this uphill battle.

Thankfully, we know we exist. We are listening to each other.

We must keep up the fight to be heard, to be seen, recorded, published, printed, and broadcast (and elected)!

Image created by author.

We must for each of us to be counted, especially in Elections. After all, if we’re not counted, it’s almost as if we don’t exist.

Thankfully, we know we exist. We are listening to each other.

And, LinkedIn, on behalf of 660 million users: Listen up. Do better.