#TwitchDoBetter movement demands more action from Twitch
James Batchelor
Editor-in-Chief
Thursday 17th March 2022
Twitch
The Black Twitch streamers and supporters behind the #TwitchDoBetter movement are calling on the leading streaming site to take more action when tackling racism on its platform.
In an open letter to Twtich CEO Emmett Shear and his senior leadership team, the group observes that Twitch only responded to this ongoing issue after last year's #TwitchDoBetter petition gathered close to 20,000 signatures, the #ADayOffTwitch boycott gained widespread media coverage and meetings between Color of Change and Twitch leadership.
The group adds that, even though this led to an update of Twitch's safety protocols, many of the movements demands remain unmet.
Twitch's recent Black History Month activity -- including a temporary Black Brilliance Recommended Section on the front page -- was also criticised.
"At a time when Black streamers continue to be harassed by racist users and left unprotected from online hate, these short-term, performative Black History Month initiatives are sorely inadequate," the group wrote.
"Twitch must address its complicity in anti-Black racism on the platform. And that starts with working directly with impacted Black creators to determine which policy and procedural changes are needed to improve their safety, as well as being transparent about when these changes will be implemented."
The letter follows a Twitch statement acknowledging the continuing impact of hate raids in the channels of Black streamers, and offering advice to creators on how to counter them.
The company also filed a lawsuit back in September against two individuals who were allegedly behind hate raids.
The #TwitchDoBetter group has its own suggestions for how the situation can be
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