They call it a “gentle revolution”, because there is not only violence and disinformation on social media. There are those who, like them, open up to the discussion, and respond to criticism with a smile: they are Raissa and Momo (photo), one of the most popular couples on the web, with over a million followers on TikTok and 380,000 on Instagram, where they dispel myths about multicultural unions with irony.
Today 4 November, together with the activist Kwanza Musi Dos Santos, they will be in Alexandria for the first meeting of the “Stories in evidence” format of cultural Thursdays, wanted by the Culture and Development association, to testify with their experience how the network can be positive comparison vehicle.
She, 24, from Moncalieri, has a degree in Administration Sciences and Labor Consultancy, he 27, from Casablanca, graduated in Exercise Sciences with a diploma as a massage physiotherapist, have been engaged for two years: a fairy tale that has recently become a book, “Of different worlds and similar souls” (De Agostini).
And that is rumored every day online. “We liked the idea of working on social networks but we landed on TikTok by pure chance, following Raissa’s eighteen year old sister, during the first lockdown – says Momo -. When we started posting about us, we gathered a growing desire to know and discover. We were very pleased that many see each other in what we tell about our relationship “.
Over time, for the two young people what started out as a game has become a profession: «We work full time on contents and we love what we do – says Raissa -. Behind our videos a great work of research, preparation and study on language ».
But the reactions have not always been positive. “In the early days we got a lot of insults, even sexist ones. They mainly attached to Momo’s culture, provenance and religion. – declares the influencer -. In the book I quote some comments: they wrote to me “Shame on you, you are not worthy of your own country”. “You make me sick”. “But who did you get together with?”
And again: “I would be attracted to cultured, educated, civilized men, not to those who come from medieval countries with women, among other things, oppressed and veiled.” A hate that frightens. “I’m not afraid of criticism, because we are together. Instead, I fear online violence. – He says -. I was afraid when the first haters arrived. It does not mean that I am used to it now, but I understand that it is a price to pay for those who are very present online. Somehow it helped us understand how to defend ourselves ».
He explains the recipe: «Self-irony. We have broken the chain of hatred because responding to hatred with hatred is useless ». Here is what is useful instead: «To send a message of inclusiveness and tolerance, which wants to look at“ diversity ”not as something that limits but that enriches – they argue -. When our TikTok and Instagram profiles “exploded”, we also felt a huge responsibility. Helping those who were in a situation similar to ours, those who experience discrimination of any kind. Our story is also yours and of all those people who fight against prejudices every day. Of those who feel different, are insulted every day, feel out of place. Of those born with skin of a color other than white and for this reason they are offended, mistreated, denigrated. We do not want to forget even those who hate, because if they really took the time to know our history, perhaps that hatred would evaporate. It is our gentle revolution and it passes through TikTok ».
The appointment with Raissa and Momo is today at 6 pm in the Culture and Development headquarters, in piazza Fabrizio De André, and will also be broadcast online. Further information on the website www.culturaesviluppo.it. –
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