#CarefreeBlackKids2k16 offers comfort in wake of U.S. shootings
'I hope this thread brought some joy into your day. I really needed this'
As grief sets in from this week's deadlyshootings of black men and police officers in Louisiana, Minnesota and Texas,many on the internet have been looking for some relief.
They have found it inthe form of a hashtag #CarefreeBlackKids2k16 which has been compiling songs, dances and funny carefree moments of young black children.
The hashtagwas started byHeben Nigatu, who works on The Late Show with Stephen Colbertand co-hosts the podcastcalledAnother Round.
She first tweeted about the hashtag on Thursday, following the deaths ofAlton Sterling andPhilando Castile both of which were caught on smartphone video.
After tweeting a series of vines based on thehashtag, she wrote: "I hope this thread brought some joy into your day. I really needed this." CBC News has reached out toNigatu, but has yet to hear back.
On Twitter, users are continuing to share their own photos and videoswith the accompanying carefree hashtag.Here's a sampling of some of our favourites:
There was a whole lot of song and dance.
When my students trapped up "Do, Re,Mi" from Sound Of Music #CarefreeBlackKids2k16 pic.twitter.com/tx9G1vQLTq
—@_AllThatJaz
That one time my youngest boy heard Zone and went off lol #carefreeblackkids pic.twitter.com/YyZaemoauR
—@ReekSkeezy
Others opted to share simpler moments, like eating food ...
When the greens are everything. #CarefreeBlackKids2k16 pic.twitter.com/cik7Nt1CvL
—@MissAngelaDavis
Beans a make her dance! #CarefreeBlackKids2k16 https://t.co/keYu6wF9Oy
—@heavenrants
... figuring out how filters workon Snapchat ...
The dog filter was a particular favourite.
My contribution to #CarefreeBlackKids2k16 is my lil beige person/nephew telling my mom how the puppy filter works pic.twitter.com/J9HzQNmnOS
—@fatalitiess
Some light in our recent darkness. My nugget loves dogs. <3 #CarefreeBlackKids2k16 pic.twitter.com/QBxUgkm2DK
—@IceColdEdge
... or just generally getting excited.
From getting aquarium tickets to heated arguments with friends.
Lol they don't even know what an aquarium is, #niece&nephew #carefreeblackkids2k16 pic.twitter.com/SIO1Ntt45Y
—@MustafaThePoet
Talking like they're grown men lmao #CareFreeBlackKids2k16 https://t.co/LDHa605cmB
—@Nxdif
The hashtagevenhad its celebrity supporters.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of the smash BroadwayhitHamilton, tweeted his support of the hashtagThursday afternoon. He's been vocal on social media about the deaths ofSterling andCastile as well as the Black Lives Matter movement.
I am following @heavenrants and #CarefreeBlackKids2K16 because boy do I need this today. You might too.
—@Lin_Manuel
Celebrity or not, many enjoyed the hashtag as an antidote to the violence in the U.S. that has captured the world's attention.
If you need me, I will be spending the rest of today with a bucket of ice cream and the #CarefreeBlackKids2k16 hashtag.
—@stacyking
With files from Haydn Watters