Yahoo News Twitch under fire for Black Lives Matter video showing mostly white streamers
Twitch has removed its Black Lives Matter video from Twitter after receiving backlash for featuring mostly white streamers.
The video opens with scenes from protests around the world, before featuring a series of streamers talking about issues of systemic racism and lack of representation.
In the clip, streamers like Dr Lupo, RubberNinja and more speak of how “we need to be there to fight for people of colour”, but viewers were quick to point out the lack of diversity within the clip itself.
Twitch has since deleted the post on Twitter, which was then re-uploaded by @2Leftjoycons:
I'm sorry, but this is maddening to me.
Twitch talks about the importance of #BLM
YET STILL
1. Has 90% of the talking done by white/nonblack people
2. Doesn't promote any black streamers/content creators
Share and promote Black Twitch content, here or in retweets! pic.twitter.com/fMJ8DNq7yU— Uncle Fill™ (@2leftjoycons)
After taking the video down, Twitch issued an apology stating that it was supposed to be focused on "allyship". The tech giant admitted that it wasn't able to make that point clear in the footage.
The biggest issue people had with the video was that it was promoting Black Twitch streamers without actually showing more of them and the work they do.
We hear you. Our goal was to demonstrate the importance of allyship - a message we didn’t make clear. Only by working together can we create a positive change.
— Twitch (@Twitch)
Twitch's response reads: "We hear you. Our goal was to demonstrate the importance of allyship - a message we didn’t make clear. Only by working together can we create a positive change".
The video featured two prominent Black Twitch streamers, BlissKai and ZombaeKillz, who both shared their thoughts on the video after the backlash.
BlissKai said that while she was "glad to see herself up there", she felt "disappointed" how Twitch delivered the message.
ZombaeKillz also shared her feelings on the video too, saying that she isn't mad about the video it also celebrating focusing on the more positive side of it, saying "it also celebrated the actual and very real allyship of some creators during this time. AND AND... white people listen to white people".
It sucks that Twitch deleted the tweet but it had to happen.I want to see black gamers succeed & make a difference as well. My first ever huge thing from Twitch & I’m glad I even got a opportunity to see myself up there. Disappointed but Twitch just delivered the wrong it the way
— bliss (@blisskai_)
You started the video off with Black Lives Matter protests and then went to white people talking about it. You should allow Black people to speak on the issues that affect them most, not let white people speak over them.
— Janette🏴☠️ (@JanetteKirchner)
The main consensus on Twitter is that the platform needs to amplify Black voices on these issues.
The Standard Online has reached out to Twitch for comment.
