The Tumblr girl era, also known as the mid-2010s, was a time of significant growth and influence for the microblogging platform Tumblr. It was a time of fashion, art, and self-expression for many young people, particularly young women. However, it was also a time when racism and cultural appropriation were widespread issues on the platform.

During the Tumblr girl era, many users, particularly white users, engaged in cultural appropriation by appropriating elements of Black and other non-white cultures. This included wearing cornrows, wearing bindis, and using AAVE (African American Vernacular English) in their speech and writing. These actions were widely criticized for being disrespectful and insensitive to the cultures they were taking from.

Additionally, Tumblr was also home to numerous racist communities and individuals who openly expressed their bigotry and hate towards people of color. This included groups that promoted white supremacy and anti-Semitism, as well as individuals who made racist jokes and comments. These communities and individuals were often given a platform on the site, and their toxic views were spread widely.

The impact of racism on the Tumblr girl era was significant. People of color on the platform faced daily harassment and discrimination, and many felt that their voices and experiences were not being heard or valued. This made the platform a hostile and unwelcoming place for many, and led to many people of color leaving the site or becoming more cautious in their interactions.

In response to these issues, a number of activism and anti-racism campaigns were started by users on the platform. These campaigns aimed to raise awareness of the harm caused by cultural appropriation and to hold individuals and communities accountable for their racist actions. These campaigns were successful in bringing attention to the issue and in inspiring change, but they were also met with resistance and backlash from those who were unwilling to acknowledge the harm caused by their actions.

While the Tumblr girl era was a time of self-expression and creativity for many young people, it was also a time when racism and cultural appropriation were widespread issues on the platform. These issues had a profound impact on people of color on the site and led to a need for activism and change. The legacy of the Tumblr girl era serves as a reminder of the need to be mindful and respectful of other cultures, and to actively work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society.