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Yes, it does seem like Twitter has been around for decades, but in reality the insanely popular social media site is only 10-years-young!

It all started out with this single tweet:

Now a decade later, Twitter has morphed into a world-wide phenomenon that has changed the way that we as a global community consume news, communicate with each other and share information thanks to its 320 million users. In a blog post, the folks over at the billion-dollar tech compay thanked everyone for their support throughout the years.

They wrote:

“As we mark this milestone, it’s you we want to celebrate. As March 21 begins around the world, each of our global offices will kick off the day by showing our appreciation and gratitude — starting in Sydney and following the sun to headquarters in San Francisco. We are excited to celebrate with all of you.

Throughout the years, you’ve made Twitter what it is today and you’re shaping what it will be in the future. Thank you for making history, driving change, lifting each other up and laughing together every day. #LoveTwitter

While it’s important to celebrate this milestone, we must also tip our hats to Black Twitter. Since emerging in 2012, their tenacity, humor and love for our people has changed the social media game as they have served as watch dog, celebratory girlfriend, hilarious free entertainment, hashtag activist and social justice catalyst.

Part of this power comes from the fact that African-Americans are more likely to be engaged in Twitter than any other racial and ethnic group, a recent Pew study found. “Black users tweet more frequently and log on on more often. Black Twitter makes up a lot of core users. Twitter is public, so not only is Black Twitter having a conversation among themselves, they’re also having a conversation in the public eye,” Mark Luckie, Twitter’s former manager of journalism and news, recently told The Huffington Post.

He’s got a point.

In reaction to the high-profile killing of Trayvon Martin, it was our sistas’ Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometthat coined the hasthag #BlackLivesMatter, a hasthag that forever changed how the world will discuss police violence and racial and gender inequality.

And then there was #BringBackOurGirls:

#SayHerName

#IfIDieInCustody

#BlackOnCampus

We’ve also used to Twitter to read white folks for their utter nonsense:

#OscarsSoWhite

#StayMadAbby

#Damonsplaining

In addition to calling out oppression and hypocrisy, Black Twitter has also been about celebrating our beauty, poise and awesomeness:

#BlackGirlMagic

#MelaninMondays

#ISlay

#TheWizLive

We’ve also introduced new words into the American vernacular:

#Bae

#OnFleek

Of course, there will always be those people who just can’t help but to co-opt our swag, taking it too far:

And then there were all the times that Black Twitter had us in stitches, making us feel completely OK with the fact that we don’t have cable. I mean, who needs HBO when we have #NoChill?

#WasteHisTime2016

#AskRachel

#MemeHistory

#GrowingUpBlack

Now if Twitter would just allow folks to use more than 140 characters, just think of what else Black Twitter could accomplish?

RELATED LINKS: 

Evening Minute: Black Twitter Turns Young African-American Woman Called N-Word Into A Meme

Black Twitter Rules: 10 Reasons Why #MemeHistory Is Giving Us Life

#BlackTwitter Reacts To MTV’s ‘White People’ Documentary

The grand return of the Melanin Awards amplifies and honors the finest Black-owned beauty brands with honest reviews, and discusses the evolution of beauty in Hip-Hop culture.