Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™.
Remember when teachers used to warn us not to let one bad apple spoil the bunch? Now, amplify that idea by millions. Imagine the impact of that spoiled apple hitting some groups harder than others. That’s exactly what Black creators face with the looming TikTok in the United States. Like most things in the United States, when things go south, they disproportionately impact the Black community. And with Black creators having a history of overcoming barrier after barrier to have their content seen and valued, the removal of a major social platform will be catastrophic for some.
TikTok: A Stage For The Unseen
For Black creators, TikTok has been a platform that provided opportunities for visibility and reach that many creators couldn’t find elsewhere. It’s where viral dances, cultural commentary, and grassroots movements can exist side by side. It’s where creators like Khaby Lame, who broke barriers with his silent comedic genius, showed the world that relatability and creativity could topple language barriers. Or where Tray Little leveraged his platform to breathe life into his Detroit community through his “Buy Back the Block” initiative. TikTok’s algorithm allowed creators to find audiences in ways that traditional media might overlook.
And it’s not just about individuals; it’s about the culture they’ve built. TikTok is where Black culture thrives, not as a commodity to be stolen, but as a force to be reckoned with — owned and celebrated by its creators. The app’s design to surface engaging content has helped creators grow their reach. But that’s the very thing we stand to lose.
The Economic Ripple Effect
Imagine building a business, a brand, or a voice from scratch, only to watch it crumble because the rules of the game changed overnight. That’s what’s at stake for countless small business owners and entrepreneurs who’ve turned TikTok into their primary sales funnel. For many Black women, TikTok has been a space where their genius can flourish without the constant erasure they face elsewhere. In a quote to AFROTECH™, Eddie Rizzo, vice president of marketing at WORTHI, stated, “For all the Black, Brown, AAPI, and Queer creators that made their living and built their businesses on TikTok, this moment is a powerful reminder on two things: diversification and ownership.”
The TikTok ban is another reminder that creators are often at the mercy of tech conglomerates and government officials. For greater durability and independence, it is critical to diversify across platforms and invest in owned properties like email lists, personal websites, and newsletters.
Small businesses, especially those owned by marginalized entrepreneurs, have used TikTok’s virality to bypass systemic barriers that often keep them out of traditional markets. The platform’s algorithm amplifies voices that don’t have the budget for expensive ad campaigns or celebrity endorsements. Taking that away doesn’t just hurt creators; it hurts the communities they represent and uplift.
Systemic Racism In The Digital Age
Systemic racism isn’t always a loud, obvious villain. Sometimes, it’s subtle, disguised as national security concerns or corporate regulations. But the result is the same — disproportionate harm to those already fighting to be seen. TikTok’s rise provided a platform where creators could showcase Black culture and monetize it directly. The potential ban, however, feels like a familiar story: build something amazing, only to watch it get dismantled because it’s too powerful, too influential, or too Black.
Let’s not ignore the alternatives. Sure, there are other platforms like Instagram Reels or ByteDance’s Lemon8. But none of them offer the same magic that TikTok does. The community dynamics and algorithmic reach offer unique advantages that are not easily replicated elsewhere. These platforms weren’t built with marginalized creators in mind, and they often fall short of providing the same opportunities for growth and visibility.
What’s Next For BIPOC Creators?
If TikTok disappears, what’s the plan? Diversification has become the buzzword, but it’s easier said than done. Platforms like TikTok don’t come around every day, and rebuilding an audience elsewhere isn’t just about strategy — it’s about survival. Forbes emphasized the need for creators to prepare for the worst. However, preparation doesn’t erase the systemic barriers that will follow them to the next platform.
Policymakers and tech leaders must grapple with the more profound implications of this ban. It’s not just about data security or political posturing — it’s about equity. For many creators, TikTok offered a space to build audiences and showcase their work on their own terms, enabling growth that traditional platforms often made inaccessible. Taking that away without addressing the inequities it helped to mitigate reinforces systemic barriers and leaves marginalized creators with fewer opportunities to thrive.
The Bigger Picture
At its core, this isn’t about saving an app. It’s about saving the progress that TikTok represents. For BIPOC creators, it’s been a rare space where their voices are amplified, their talents are monetized, and their communities are celebrated. Losing TikTok isn’t just a loss of a platform; it’s a loss of possibility, a reminder that even in the digital age, systemic oppression finds new ways to manifest.
So maybe the question isn’t, what will happen if TikTok is banned? Maybe the real question is, why do systems consistently force BIPOC creators to bear the brunt of these shifts? This isn’t just about one app disappearing— it’s about acknowledging and addressing the deeper inequities that leave specific communities more vulnerable when the rules of the game change. Until those systemic barriers are dismantled, the disproportionate impact will remain an undeniable truth.
