is becoming "that girl" turning us into the "same girl?"
trends, TikTok, and the strange tilt in Black History Month.
TikTok is one of those places that I haven’t felt comfortable fully immersing my time, energy, and attention span to quite yet.
beyond the obvious issues: Black creator suppression, rampant plagiarism, and shady algorithms, I honestly don’t know what I could offer the platform at the moment. there’s no shortage of “Toks” or niches for me to choose from, you have Manifestation Tok, Food Tok, Christian Girl Tok, Dance Tok, Film/TV Commentary Tok, Conspiracy Tok, and my personal favorite: Black Tok. and while I’ve found myself wandering in the balance of the latter mentioned, there are themes and trends that tether all of these varying corners of the internet together, making them almost indistinguishable.
you always know something is really catching on around the internet when it has massive crossover appeal — think D*baby on a Dua Lipa track or Future rapping alongside Maroon 5. you find these moments in tweets that become shareable Instagram posts, fly Instagram pics that transfer over to Twitter, and ohhh, if there’s a viral sound or video that’s blowing up on TikTok, bessbelieve it’s gonna be seen and heard on both Twitter and Instagram. it’s funny how things work that way for TikTok; I mean the app has only been available in the US since 2019, and yet it’s the one app that can shapeshift from platform to platform, feeding the need of its users’ insatiable desire for around-the-clock content and endorphin hits.
and I’m not mad at it — TikTok offers a level of raw and authentic content that can be a refreshing alternative to the sometimes-stuffy, highly-curated feeds of our Instagram pages. I think anyone who is able to crack the code (algorithm) and break into the space deserves some sort of applause, that’s not an easy thing to do. but it’s the why that I question.
i’ve never checked my “rising” or what “moon” my “placements” are in, but ya girl is a sucker a good aesthetic. clean, well-lit photos. videos that capture the small joys of someone’s day, with each shifting moment punctuated by the precise drop of the beat. whew, give me ALL of that! and hey, maybe I want to join in on the fun a little too.
i’ve made a couple of reels/TikToks that have attempted to do just as these trends imply: chop and screw the events of my day and package them in a way that makes my life seem just as beautiful as anyone else’s, right? but the truth is, life really ain’t that cute right now. it’s actually quite normal.
if I took you on a tour of my small, southern town, it would last about 10 mins, and half of that time would be spent between long backroad highways and circling the same McDonald’s and CVS. and be real, who really wants to see 7-second splices of me on my couch, typing away at my laptop with my bonnet on?
it’s sad to think, but real-life just isn’t that appealing on the internet, especially when the hyperbolic version of life is more appealing.
while I’m making do with the roof I have over my head and the resources that I have access to, the reality is that I no longer live in a megacity like LA or New York nor do I occupy a space that has South-facing windows that capture my dewy evening glow as I apply AHA serum onto my skin during golden hour (at least not for now).
as a content creator, I’ve seen how not having “the look” has set me back with different brands and opportunities that literally favor those who do. and can you blame them? most brands are just reflecting back to us what we, the consumer, are gravitating toward, and that’s what makes “in” things “in” at the moment. it’s what catches the eyes and keeps people engaged.
but in our attempt to be THAT girl on the internet, are we turning into the SAME girl?
let’s consider for a second that every trend has a point of origin.
someone, somewhere decided one day that they were going to take a well-lit photo of their skincare products. it performed well. possibly got reposted on a brands’ Instagram page as User Generated Content. and because of that brand’s prestige and notability, other creators started to replicate that same aesthetic in hopes that one day, they too could end up on that brand’s page or even work with them to some capacity.
like, girl, if you could see the mood boards that these brands send creators to “recreate”... it’s the same lighting, same setup, same angles on these creative briefs. so in order to make it work, you have to “bring yourself” to the project, while still having to apply pieces of someone else’s eye to what you create. and is that even fair to the creator of origin? is it eThICal?! maybe I’m thinking too deep into it, but it wouldn’t be on my mind so heavy if one: it wasn’t Black History Month and two: if I didn’t get this rejection from an influencer program in my inbox.
now granted, I didn’t apply with the highest of hopes, I saw the type of influencers they accept, but I thought eehh, what the heck, let’s just see what shakes and so I applied!
so class, let’s gather around and take a look at the criteria (to specify, it was one or more of these reasons) that they shared I didn’t meet:
first of all, they didn’t have to eat me up like that, not during Black History Month! but twice of all, some of these just aren’t fair (and untrue, my content is ORIGINAL)! 😭
so while I was a little disappointed and slightly offended, it just reiterated the fact that I can only create content from the place that I currently am in life, and the brands that get it, get it, and the ones that don’t, don’t!
which, in a roundabout way, brings me back to my former point, of it being Black History Month.
now, I’m not sure what was in the Pink Lotion this year, but nah, we need to run this back in June or something. because y’all, (not you reading this, but them of the outside culture) should really be embrazzzed. do you have no shame?! this is a sacred time for Black Americans!
i bring up Black History Month because every year, brands go scouting for Black creatives to highlight in their campaigns and I just want to manifest that next year, I will be one of those included.
as a moment of vulnerability: I’m kind of tired of feeling left out of the conversation when Black creatives are named and recognized. I know my online tribe is “micro,” but we’re a mighty bunch, and I only share things that are from the heart. social proof is a currency that makes creatives, influencers, and content creators wealthy (in both the literal and metaphorical senses). having that exposure can truly go a long way for someone who’s about their passions and people.
as proof: many of y’all reading this right now came from someone sharing my last newsletter post and for that, I am eternally grateful! 🥺💕
yes, consistency is key to all things that we do, but amplifying other creators and making their work visible can truly go a long way.
i hope that when the next Black History Month comes around, there will be new faces and new names included on these lists because impact is still relevant even if it comes from an undiscovered voice.
my call-to-action this newsletter is to uplift a Black creator that you admire or feel needs some shine for their talent, gifts, and persistence.
i’ll start!
here are 4 of my favorite creatives from varying disciplines that I recommend and encourage checking out their work or even hiring them if you’re feeling froggy! ;)
kerstinarenee_ - creative director, stylist, fashion icon
tatiannabwell - skincare, wellness, & lifestyle creator
tomshotta - film photographer
ericacfraser - writer & wellness creator
take care & be well!
— ya girl, Aley