Rising Racism Against Indians on X: A 2024 Crisis

The Rise of Racism Against Indians in 2024

Racism Spreading Posts against Indians Highlight Urgent Need for Action on X. Barry Stanton’s X account was suspended after months of racist posts targeting Indians, despite hundreds of reports. With India’s 25.5 million X users, the Indian government must negotiate with Elon Musk for better moderation. If X’s algorithm continues to spread hate, Indian users might leave the platform.

What’s the news?

Recently, Barry Stanton’s X account is suspended for racist posts against Indians. As he frequently shared derogatory cartoons and posts depicting Indians in a negative light. But this move took almost 2 months of continuous people reporting to X and raise voice against it. over hundreds of Indian users reported his account for his racist content against India. Then, X took an action and finally banned his account. So far, only one account is banned we don’t know how many such accounts are still existing and how much will again be created.

Racism spreading account banned by X Barry Stanton

Racist Content that he posted

The X user Barry Stanton, who promotes white supremacy, he not only spread negativity against Indians but against Africans too.

Some of his Racist Post

  1. Thank You God for not making me Indian
  2. Hitlar’s Image – He Was Right
  3. AI image of scientist with toilet- Caption: Indians Top Scientists try to figure out how to use a toilet
Neither we want to promote Racism nor we support/ encourage any such content. Hence, we haven’t attached the real posts of Barry Stanton. We have shared this information just to spread awareness and tell you the severity of the issue.

What’s Wrong with India?

Recently you must have come across “What’s wrong with India” trend on X (formerly known as Twitter) which is even noticed by Indian Government’s official Handle.

Racism Against Indians on X, Govt. of India answered satirically

If you just type What’s wrong with India and spread negative and bad news about India on X the algorithm hiked the post and boost the post. Your post will get all the attention on X. This was the initial phase of discrimination targeting Indians. Which nobody took seriously and then the racism against Indians continues. Indians are kept being targeted on Elon Musk’s X.

Boiling Frog strategy

Boiling Frog Strategy - Racism Against Indians news

It is used as metaphor for A caution against gradual change. The strategy is based on the premise of how a frog reacts when directly put into boiled water versus when the frog is put into water first and then gradually increasing the temperature of water.

So, if it’s put in boiling water to begin with, it will immediately jump out. However, if the frog is first put in cold water and the temperature then raised it will be unaware of the danger it’s in until it’s too late.

The same thing is happening with Indians. Racism against Indians are increasing gradually and we feel nothing about it. Now the impact of it is not only restricted to X but is now  increasing on other social media accounts like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Telegram.

Hate speech poisons our minds. Its like a slow poison which eats you internally and feeds the secessionist tendency.

The outcome of one small misinformation could lead to protests, discrimination, and inequality, and even violence in extreme scenarios.

How Racism Against Indians is Amplified by Algorithms

For any online platform the algorithms works in way that if there is any hateful and violative content is published, the algorithm don’t carry it forward and stops it. Instead of this Elon musk’s X platform’s algorithm was making it viral.  

Chalta Hai attitude of Indians

Indians are easy targets. Such Racist content was getting more fame, more virality and increase in followers along with no risk of suffering from any consequences. This premise creates an ecosystem in itself.  It was seen that there were no consequences when any derogatory comments were pass on Indians and act of racist content spread. Government doesn’t take actions immediately, Bollywood stars, influencers, famous personalities delays to take cognizance. Since Indians doesn’t react initially, they keep bulling Indians and escalation continues and turns brutal at times. 

Comparing to COVID times when Chinese people were assassinate with Racial comments, their government took staunch stand against United states. China said, ‘we will not tolerate any kind of racism.’ Which results in many social media sites bans such accounts and immediate action were taken.

No one is talking, Bubble will burst soon

All eyes on Rafah were shared by millions of users, that shows our concern towards them and that’s quite acceptable that we raise the concern and show the spirit of unity to one cause but when it comes to Indians more over Asians race getting bullied by white supremacy. Indians often remain silent. The frog is getting boiled gradually.

The hatred will turn into communal violence and then people be like, no one saw it coming. Other countries have already taken strict actions and they have stringent laws for such digital harassment. The culprit suffers from consequences and government takes cognizance and immediate action to trolls and threats.

Which countries have Banned X?

X is banned due to Mostly because of Racism
Source: Canva

Brazil

Very recently Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered an ‘immediate and complete suspension’ of Elon Musk-owned X over a misinformation row.

China

In 2009, China banned X, this move followed the Uyghur protests in the northwest city of Urumqi, where demonstrations against racial discrimination escalated into riots.

Russia

The social media platform has been facing troubles ever since 2022, when Russian authorities intensified their crackdown on dissent and free media following President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine in February 2022.

Iran

In 2009, Iran banned X, following protests against the disputed presidential election results that declared hard-liner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner.

Myanmar

After a military coup took power in Myanmar in 2021, the rulers ordered mobile networks and internet service providers to block X and Instagram, owned by Facebook.

North Korea

In 2016, North Korea officially announced it was blocking X, along with Facebook, YouTube, and several South Korean websites, to tighten control over outside information.

Turkmenistan

In 2018, Turkmenistan blocked social media apps like X, WhatsApp, and Facebook, as well as foreign news and opposition websites.

Uzbekistan

X is also banned in Uzbekistan, consistent with the region’s strict censorship rules.

Should India too Ban X?

Racist X, alternate koo app

When Turkmenistan banned X, the country introduced its first privately developed messaging app, BizBarde. If India thinks of banning X in India, then do we have alternative to it? The answer is, NOT YET. One app came into mind and that is KOO App which was Launched in 2020, Koo was an Indian alternative to X that was co-founded by Aprameya Radhakrishna and Mayank Bidawatka. It was promoted by celebrities and ministers, and expanded to Nigeria and Brazil. However, Koo has since shut down its services.

So, we must find out an alternative to X firstly.

X users from India?

25.5 million

According to the latest data, there are approximately 25.5 million X users in India as of 2024.

Some key details: India ranks 3rd globally in terms of number of X users.

What India Can do then?

First of all, finding an Indian alternative should be priority.

Secondly, India represents the largest internet market with 25.5 million users on X, the Indian government should take proactive steps when facing racist content spreading on the platform. The government should initiate direct negotiations with Elon Musk, urging him to address these concerns and implement stronger content moderation policies.

 Discussions should focus on ensuring that X’s algorithms do not promote or viralize racist content. Failure to act on these issues may lead to a significant backlash, potentially driving Indian users away from X. Ensuring a respectful and inclusive online environment is crucial for maintaining user trust and engagement.

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Author – Priyanka Rodge.