This week has been a rough one. Two videos have circulated on social media—both of which depicted police officers killing black men for nonviolent offenses. The first video showed 37-year-old Alton Sterling being shot multiple times by police while they pinned him to the ground. The second was a Facebook Live video in which 32-year-old Philando Castile was covered in blood, shot dead in his seat by a police officer during a traffic stop. These two men, within just a few days of each other, became the 135th and 136th black people to have been killed by police in 2016.
As anger and pain sink deeply into the hearts of all Americans, especially within black communities, Twitter Moments found some light in the darkness. On Thursday, #CarefreeBlackKids2K16 trended, which was begun by writer and podcaster Heben Nigatu (@heavenrants). According to Twitter, “people are sharing photos and videos of black children displaying their humor, intelligence and overall greatness in spite of existing in turbulent times.” Take a look for yourself; we could probably all use a little bit of hope in the wake of such a troubling pattern of racist tragedies.
“It’s a beautiful day to smile” #CarefreeBlackKids2k16 https://t.co/LhuXrYuipY
— Heben Nigatu (@heavenrants) July 7, 2016
#CarefreeBlackKids2k16 https://t.co/AzG0YztGdR
— Heben Nigatu (@heavenrants) July 7, 2016
I am following @heavenrants and #CarefreeBlackKids2K16 because boy do I need this today. You might too.
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) July 7, 2016
When my students trapped up “Do, Re,Mi” from Sound Of Music #CarefreeBlackKids2k16 pic.twitter.com/tx9G1vQLTq
— Jaz (@_AllThatJaz) July 7, 2016
#CarefreeBlackKids2k16
He told me to take this picture because he thought he looked cool in these shades lol. pic.twitter.com/ZAD60PuUpY— awkward art aunt (@earthtodannelle) July 7, 2016