What do black Facebook profile photos mean?
If you've noticed some of your Facebook friends' profile pictures swapped for a black square, their photos aren't just failing to load.
The rapidly spreading trend is a social media reaction to Donald Trump's unexpected triumph over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the 2016 United States presidential election. Many social media users vexed by Tuesday's results are replacing their profile pictures and cover photos with a plain black squares to proclaim resistance to a Trump presidency. The protest is often accompanied by the hashtags #twitterblackout, #facebookblackout, or #stillwithher.
Some people are using the statement to reaffirm their commitment to progressive causes in the wake of the results, while others are refusing to accept the legitimacy of a Trump presidency.
I will not do the pledge. I have no respect for Donald Trump. We are supposed to move forward and be better as a whole. #twitterblackout
— present: nicole (@beyondtheseane) November 9, 2016
While the initial source of the online demonstration isn't clear, an image by the startup HashtagNow attached to many of the posts says it's an effort to create unity among dissenters. It's been spreading throughout social media networks throughout Wednesday, as people across the country process Trump's surprise victory.
Many Trump supporters and some others, meanwhile, have responded to the protest by questioning its point.
The blackout follows recent profile-pic-based activism that has included overlays of rainbows and French flags after the terrorist attacks in Orlando and Paris.
https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2016/11/why_are_facebook_and_twitter_users_blacking_out_th.html