Social media cycles, feminism and violence against women

The murder of Gabby Petito triggered social media discussions about her white privilege. But is it a privilege to be found dead?

Photo by chloe s. on Unsplash.

i. the cycle

Last week, the disappearance and murder of YouTuber Gabby Petito caused waves on social media. Petito was a YouTuber who documented her travels on her social media channels, and she went missing after a trip with her boyfriend Brian Laundrie. Quickly, Petito’s audience became invested in finding her. Within a few days, her body was discovered. Now, her boyfriend is on the run.

There’s a social media cycle that Extremely Online people have become used to when tragic news is happening right before our eyes, and Petito’s case was no different. At first, there’s solidarity and amateur investigations, people trying to help or somewhat consumed by the tragedy that is unfolding. People post their wishes that the situation is resolved, that the missing woman is found safe and sound. And then, the visibility of the tragedy kicks in, and the hot takes that run social media are posted: Petito is a privileged white woman, and women of color who go missing don’t get as much attention as she did. Statistics are pulled up: yes, this woman is missing right now, but Indigenous women have…