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#CarefreeBlackKids2k16 offers comfort in wake of U.S. shootings

As grief sets in from this week's deadly shootings in Baton Rouge, Falcon Heights and Dallas, many on the internet have been looking for relief. Some of that has come in the form of a hashtag.

'I hope this thread brought some joy into your day. I really needed this'

CBC News ·
From heated arguments with friends to figuring out how the dog filter works on Snapchat, many moments have been captured and shared via the hashtag #CarefreeBlackKids2k16. (MissAngelaDavis/IceColdEdge/Twitter)

As grief sets in from this week's deadly shootings of black men and police officers in Louisiana, Minnesota and Texas, many on the internet have been looking for some relief.

They have found it in the form of a hashtag — #CarefreeBlackKids2k16 — which has been compiling songs, dances and funny carefree moments of young black children.

The hashtag was started by Heben Nigatu, who works on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and co-hosts the podcast called Another Round.

She first tweeted about the hashtag on Thursday, following the deaths of Alton Sterling​ and Philando Castile — both of which were caught on smartphone video.

After tweeting a series of vines based on the hashtag, she wrote: "I hope this thread brought some joy into your day. I really needed this." CBC News has reached out to Nigatu, but has yet to hear back.

On Twitter, users are continuing to share their own photos and videos with the accompanying carefree hashtag. Here's a sampling of some of our favourites:

There was a whole lot of song and dance.

Others opted to share simpler moments, like eating food ...

... figuring out how filters work on Snapchat ...

The dog filter was a particular favourite.

... or just generally getting excited.

From getting aquarium tickets to heated arguments with friends.

The hashtag even had its celebrity supporters.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of the smash Broadway hit Hamilton, tweeted his support of the hashtag Thursday afternoon. He's been vocal on social media about the deaths of Sterling​ and Castile as well as the Black Lives Matter movement.

Celebrity or not, many enjoyed the hashtag as an antidote to the violence in the U.S. that has captured the world's attention.

With files from Haydn Watters

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