Let’s Talk About How Black People Broke The Internet In 2016

Let’s Talk About How Black People Broke The Internet In 2016

Black people have a great influence on the internet and this year is not an exception.From hilarious videos to dancing and raising awareness about social injustice issues- this is all about us. It’s magical and it’s important. Enjoy you time watching all this awesomeness again!

1. Of course it’s a  #RunningManChallenge!

After high schoolers Kevin Vincent and Jeremiah Hall began posting videos of themselves doing a revamped running man to Ghost Town DJ’s “My Boo,” the challenge took the internet by storm. It even landed the teens a spot on “The Ellen Show” and a $10,000 scholarship.

A video posted by Theator Thug ! 🕵🏽 (@11.oo7) on Jan 6, 2016 at 6:41pm PST

2.  #SoGoneChallenge

Monica and Missy Elliot’s “So Gone” made a comeback when the internet started doing rapping over the beat in the #SoGoneChallenge. The best rendition, arguably, has to be Chance the Rapper singing to his girlfriend.

3.  When Luke Cage shut down Netflix

It’s no surprise that watching a black bulletproof superhero in a hoodie fight injustice would draw fans. But no one predicted that so many people would tune in that Netflix’s servers would shut down for a could of hours. Sweet Christmas

4.  #YouGoodMan

After rapper Kid Cudi revealed that he was getting treatment for his anxiety and depression, @DaynaLNuckolls and @TheCosby created a space for black men on Twitter to discuss and learn about mental health. It was a necessary hashtag that underscored the importance of this conversation continuing.

5.  MannequinChallenge and of course the best one that shows us injustice in America.  This challenge, made popular by black teens across the country, proved that standing perfectly still in mid-action poses demands more creativity than you’d think.

6.  #BeingABlackGirlIsLit

This hashtag, created by Cherrell Brown the day after Beyoncé gave a Black Panther-inspired performance at the SuperBowl, unapologetically celebrated black girlhood and womanhood. It served as a reminder that we always deserve to be uplifted and empowered.

7.  #BankBlack

Activists like Killer Mike issued a call to action for the black community to open accounts at their local black bank. This resulted in several black-owned banks seeing an increase in business, including Citizen’s Trust Bank in which 8,000 people opened bank accounts with in a span of five days.

8. #UNameItChallenge

Throwback videos aren’t safe from becoming memes. When Suede the Remix God and iComplexity got a hold of an old Shirley Ceasar sermon, they gifted the world with the most lit Thanksgiving anthem ever.

9. #BlackBoyJoy

After Chance tweeted this photo of himself on the red carpet with the caption #BlackBoyJoy, it sparked a movement. Other black men and boys began sharing photos of themselves and their loved ones exuding all of their glorious joy.

10.  #CarefreeBlackKids

“Another Round” host and “The Late Show” writer Heben Nigatu created this hashtag to spread some joy in the midst of black trauma. Seeing videos of little black kids enjoying life was the remedy we all needed.

11.  Dark Kermit memes

Social media users created some hilariously relatable memes from a video featuring Kermit the frog and his “dark side.” Black Twitter took this screenshot and ran with it, imagining scenarios in which their dark alter ego kicks in.

12.  Simone Manuel’s win

This little star told her mom “I got next!” after Simone Manuel tied for gold in women’s swimming at the Olympics this summer. Her and all of the black girls who witnessed Manuel make history proved just how much representation matters.

We are black, we are beautiful, we are caring and inspiring. Always remember that!