Amid the global outpouring of sadness in the shooting deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile at the hands of police, a ray of joy has shown in the hashtag #CarefreeBlackKids2k16.
The trend was started by Another Round podcast host Heben Nigatu and has caught on among Black Twitter users. Many have shared videos of African-American youth dancing and displaying their cuteness online.
https://twitter.com/heavenrants/status/751094258069831680
Jaz shared a video of her students’ trap remix to a classic Sound of Music tune.
When my students trapped up "Do, Re,Mi" from Sound Of Music #CarefreeBlackKids2k16 pic.twitter.com/tx9G1vQLTq
— Audra McDonalds Oscar Campaign Manager (@_AllThatJaz) July 7, 2016
Nigatu’s podcast co-host Tracy Clayton shared a video of a young Black girl who picketed her father in the kitchen.
— tracy clayton jr the 3rd (@brokeymcpoverty) July 7, 2016
“Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted his support of the hashtag and encouraged others to follow along.
I am following @heavenrants and #CarefreeBlackKids2K16 because boy do I need this today. You might too.
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) July 7, 2016
Remy shared a spirited video of five children doing a praise dance in church.
https://twitter.com/tdaniadi/status/751096950800412672
User @bellaydancer posted a video of a young student doing his version of the Nae Nae as another plays the piano.
https://twitter.com/bellaydancer/status/751103488457895936
Liz Ann Hewett tweeted her appreciation of the hashtag.
With all the hate & hurt happening it's nice when something like #Carefreeblackkids2k16 comes across not feed. Let's keep them that way.
— Liz Ann Hewett (@ThatLizAnn) July 7, 2016
Hewett’s sentiments reflect the feelings of many in the Black community who are stunned by the back-to-back killings of Sterling and Castile. Sterling, 37, was pinned to the ground by police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for selling CDs outside a convenience store. Cops shot him multiple times, resulting in his death July 5. Witnesses in a neighboring vehicle caught the incident on video.
The next day, Castile was shot and killed by a nervous officer in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. The 32-year-old told the cop he was licensed to carry his weapon and that he was reaching into his pocket to get his wallet. His arm was shot in front of his 4-year-old daughter and girlfriend. He died inside the vehicle and his partner caught the aftermath on camera.
