Kiandria Demone: A Disrupter in the Fight Against Hate Speech

A Voice for Accountability

In the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Kiandria Demone is recognized not only for her entrepreneurial spirit but also for her fierce activism. With a growing online platform, she has taken it upon herself to confront and expose those who perpetuate hate, stating her mission to “bully racists” off the internet. This commitment to justice is showcased prominently through her recent actions surrounding a troubling viral incident involving Shiloh Hendrix, a white woman from Minnesota.

The Catalyst: Shiloh Hendrix

Hendrix ignited significant outrage after footage surfaced of her hurling racial slurs at a young Black child on a playground. In response to a burgeoning outcry, Hendrix launched a fundraising campaign on GiveSendGo, targeting an initial goal of $600,000 to seek refuge and defense from the backlash she faced. Demone, observing the widespread conversation about this incident across her platform, could have taken the route of mere ridicule. Instead, she saw a deeper issue: a fundraising platform profiting from hate speech.

Digging for Accountability

Demone embarked on a mission to investigate the financial mechanics behind Hendrix’s campaign. She wasn’t merely interested in denouncing Hendrix’s actions but was determined to hold accountable the entities profiting from such narratives. “There’s a bank somewhere,” she reflected, emphasizing the responsibility financial institutions hold in moderating harmful content.

Her experience as a tech-savvy entrepreneur led her to examine the HTML of GiveSendGo for clues about its payment processing. Allegations boiled down to Square, prompting numerous inquiries directed at the company. In a noteworthy response on social media, Square vehemently denied any involvement with GiveSendGo.

The Role of Payment Processors

The mechanisms behind fundraising platforms matter, especially when it comes to their terms of service. Demone noted that platforms like GiveSendGo often cater to campaigns that are rejected by more mainstream services like GoFundMe due to noncompliance with community guidelines. This awareness raises troubling questions about how these platforms operate under the guise of free speech while potentially endorsing white supremacy.

Demone’s concerns are based on her firsthand experiences as a business owner. Running her online apparel shop has made her acutely aware of how payment processors react to complaints. “Y’all don’t tolerate my products,” she pointed out, “but this woman can profit off of calling a child the N word.” Her determination to protect her community is evident, as she strives to ensure that platforms cannot gloss over harmful behavior.

Facing Backlash

As Demone amplified her initiative, it wasn’t long before she encountered significant pushback. Death threats, abusive comments, and demands to cease her efforts flooded her inbox. Despite this onslaught, she remains unfazed, attributing her resilience to a life marked by challenges that fortified her resolve. “I really don’t give a damn about a troll harassing me on the internet,” she asserted, embodying a defiance that empowers her continued activism.

For Demone, the fight against Hendrix isn’t merely a moment for social media outrage but a serious endeavor aimed at social justice. “This woman attacking a Black child with a verbal assault…is crazy,” she explained, indicating that her approach is rooted in seeking tangible resolutions rather than indulging in viral moments.

The Wider Movement

While Square has distanced itself from any association with GiveSendGo, evidence suggests that other processors, like Stripe, may be involved. Despite not yet receiving direct communication from GiveSendGo or Square, Demone is invigorated by the collective action forming around her cause. She aims to inspire a movement that demands accountability across all platforms dealing with sensitive and potentially harmful narratives.

“It’s not about me… I want these payment processors to know that we will hold them accountable,” she reiterated. Her steadfast commitment highlights an evolving dialogue surrounding hate speech, responsibility, and social justice, laying the groundwork for a more ethical online environment.

In her pursuit of justice, Kiandria Demone embodies the spirit of activism that seeks not just to critique but to instigate real change within the systems that govern our society.