Recently, Paramount Global removed all content from MTV News and CMT’s websites. They also wiped Comedy Central’s video archive, deleting countless hours of video and articles, much of it covering Black culture. Vice Media did the same earlier, shutting down its website amid layoffs. This erasure is alarming and follows a troubling pattern of diminishing Black voices.
Imagine if key events in history weren’t documented. Who would remember them? This issue hits hard for Black America, where much of the rich history is often erased or overlooked.
Take the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, for instance. This event featured icons like Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder. Most forgot about it until Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s 2022 documentary, “Summer of Soul.” Similarly, the groundbreaking PBS show “Soul!” influenced many Black talk shows, but few remember it today.
Digital media is just one type of erasure. Book bans also suppress Black narratives. In 2013, a North Carolina school banned Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man.” In 2023, books like Fred T. Joseph’s “The Black Friend” and Amanda Gorman’s “The Hill We Climb” were banned in Florida. This suppression undermines efforts to address systemic racism.
Despite these challenges, efforts to preserve Black culture continue. The Internet Archive saved some of MTV News’ content. Platforms like YouTube, Medium, and Substack offer alternative means to safeguard digital content. Initiatives like Noname’s Radical Hood Library provide access to Black literature, ensuring these stories remain available.
We must take charge of preserving our history and culture. We can prevent our history from becoming a myth by documenting our experiences and supporting platforms that amplify Black voices.
What measures can we take to safeguard Black cultural history from digital erasure? How can we support platforms that amplify Black voices?
