Black Americans’ social emotional responses to race-related discriminatory content on social media

This qualitative study explores Black Americans’ social emotional responses after viewing race-related discriminatory content on social media. Perceptions held by fifteen respondents regarding the effects of viewing race-based discriminatory content on social media were evaluated. Three key themes emerged from the findings: 1) Shared recognition as a means of engaging in a collective understanding and identification of race-related discriminatory events; 2) Social emotional responses after engaging with race-related discriminatory and violent content on social media; and 3) Coping as a way to deal with the effects of race-related discriminatory content on social media. Implications for social work practice are discussed.