How a TikTok Ban Could Harm Creators of Color

Brown & Black

Creators of color have built successful careers sharing their stories on TikTok since 2018. Many argue that banning TikTok threatens freedom of expression and connections between people. It also threatens jobs and democracy.

In this episode, we discuss the possibility of banning TikTok in the U.S. and how it impacts creators of color. The ban could significantly impact culture, the economy, businesses, and influencers of color. We try to answer why it's happening and how it affects small and medium-sized businesses in communities of color.

Segment 1: The Impact of a TikTok Ban on Creators of Color
TikTok has become a popular platform for creators of color to share their stories and connect with audiences worldwide. A ban on TikTok would deprive these creators of a platform and audiences of their work.

It would also impact culture, as TikTok shares news and entertainment. Businesses relying on TikTok ads would also be affected. Influencers could lose jobs and be unable to connect with audiences. They have built careers on the platform, and a ban would cut them off from their livelihoods and audiences.

Segment 2: The U.S.-China Digital Competition
The TikTok ban stems from the U.S.-China competition for digital control. The U.S. worries that TikTok shares user data with China. The U.S. wants to rely less on Chinese tech as China competes globally. Banning TikTok is a way for the U.S. to curb China's influence, but it also harms marginalized groups in the U.S. who have found their voices on the platform.

Segment 3: Small Businesses at Risk
A ban on TikTok would also impact small and medium-sized businesses, especially in communities of color. TikTok helps them reach customers and generate revenue at a low cost. Banning it reduces their ability to do so, as they may not have the resources to build a following on other platforms. As businesses owned by people of color suffer more in downturns, communities of color are disproportionately affected. They face higher unemployment and poverty rates, and a TikTok ban could exacerbate economic inequalities.

Segment 4: The Future of Social Communication
If TikTok is banned, will we return to traditional modes of social interaction, such as face-to-face communication? Is this for the best or the worst? This shift may be a positive development, as it could lead to more meaningful and authentic interactions between people. However, it is also possible that this shift could lead to a loss of connection and community. We can use it to build a better world or tear it apart.
'Brown & Black' Podcast 2022 Webby Honoree is a new magazine show exploring race and pop culture, hosted by two diverse voices, one Latino and one Black, to fill a void in rethinking how pop culture news and opinion are conveyed in America today. Jack Rico and Mike Sargent, two national film and culture critics, interview Latino and Black filmmakers, actors, musicians, and artists to examine the complex nature of entertainment and race.

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