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By James S. Bridgeforth, Ph.D.
In the grand architecture of America, where freedom and democracy are enshrined as sacred principles, a dark shadow has emerged—an algorithmic code of oppression, insidiously weaving its way into the fabric of our digital society.
As the dust settles on the 2024 election, the evidence is clear: algorithms—those silent, soulless engineers of our online experiences—have been weaponized to perpetuate racism, amplify division and manipulate truth.
Donald Trump’s victory this year is not just a testament to his base’s loyalty; it is a chilling reminder of how technology, designed to connect us, has been co-opted to tear us apart.
Social media algorithms, programmed ostensibly to keep us engaged, have instead become a tool for promoting white supremacy, marketing hate and fueling systemic racism. They thrive on outrage, spreading lies faster than truth, and in doing so, they have become the architects of our division.
The power of these algorithms lies in their ability to curate reality itself.
During this election cycle, disinformation targeting Black and brown communities reached new heights. “Alternative facts” about voter fraud, crime and economic policies flooded our feeds, tailor-made to exploit fears and reinforce prejudices.
These lies were not random. They were carefully crafted, tested and deployed by those who understand the human psyche better than we do ourselves.
Let us be clear: this is not an accident.
It is a deliberate act by a small cadre of powerful white men who are watching their dominion over this country slip away. They see the shifting demographics, the rising voices of marginalized communities and the growing demands for equity. And rather than adapt to a more just and inclusive society, they’ve chosen to fight dirty, using the digital tools at their disposal to stoke the flames of racial resentment.
Platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok have become breeding grounds for hate, not because they are inherently evil, but because hate is profitable. Racist posts generate clicks, clicks generate revenue and revenue satisfies shareholders. When the algorithm senses that anger and fear drive engagement, it optimizes for those emotions, turning our screens into echo chambers of division.
This year, the consequences of that optimization were on full display. Dog whistles became foghorns. White supremacist rhetoric, once relegated to the fringes of the internet, was pushed into the mainstream, dressed up as “free speech.” The result? A nation further divided, a democracy teetering on the edge and communities of color left to bear the brunt of the violence these lies incite.
It is no coincidence that these algorithms disproportionately harm Black and brown communities. Voter suppression efforts are no longer limited to gerrymandering or polling place closures; they now live in the digital realm, where misinformation campaigns convince voters that their voices don’t matter or that their ballots won’t count.
These digital attacks are the 21st-century evolution of Jim Crow—a high-tech version of an age-old strategy to silence and subjugate.
What is most alarming is the silence of those who have the power to change this. Social media executives, comfortably ensconced in their Silicon Valley bubbles, insist that their platforms are neutral. They claim they cannot control how people use their tools, even as evidence mounts that their algorithms actively promote harm. Meanwhile, politicians who benefit from this chaos look the other way, complicit in their inaction.
Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter) (Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons).
We must ask ourselves: Is this the future we want? A world where truth is optional, where racism is coded into our technology and where democracy is reduced to a game of digital manipulation? The fight for civil rights has entered a new frontier, and we are woefully unprepared for the battle ahead.
As we close out this election year, let us not forget the role these algorithms played in shaping its outcome. Let us not ignore the human cost of their existence—the fractured families, the lost lives and the deepening despair of a nation struggling to find its moral compass.
The algorithm does not sleep. It does not feel. It does not care. And yet, it wields more power than any politician, more influence than any preacher and more reach than any activist. It is a monster of our own making, fed by our clicks and nurtured by our apathy.
If we do not dismantle this system—if we do not demand accountability from the tech giants and the politicians who enable them—we will wake up one day to find that the dream of equality has been replaced by a dystopian reality where racism is not just a societal ill, but a coded feature of our existence.
And on that day, when the last ember of hope flickers out, we will not be able to say we weren’t warned.
Bridgeforth enjoys writing as a political columnist who is a passionate advocate for justice and equality whose academic journey reflects a profound commitment to these ideals. With a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Catawba College, Bridgeforth began his quest to understand and address systemic inequalities. He furthered his expertise with a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from The University of Massachusetts-Amherst, followed by a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and Institutional Research from The University of Southern Mississippi.
Beyond his impressive academic credentials, Bridgeforth is deeply involved in organizations dedicated to empowerment and community service, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and 100 Black Men of America. His columns provide insightful commentary on equal opportunity, social justice, economic equity, and higher education, driven by a sincere desire to amplify voices and champion the causes of those often marginalized.
Through his writing, Bridgeforth brings a blend of scholarly rigor and heartfelt advocacy, aiming to inspire change and foster a more just society for all.
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