A campaign that purports to be about “women supporting women” is filling people’s Instagram feeds with striking, if opaque, imagery.
Over the past several days, many Instagram feeds have been overrun with black-and-white images of women both famous and not.
These photographs are often posed and filtered, taken from flattering angles and accompanied by benign captions about “supporting women.”
May our appreciation for one another as women never cease. If you’re just reading this message know that you too are beautiful, strong and outstanding. ❤
Dineo Moeketsi Langa posted on her instagram in acceptance of the challenge and she in turn challenged Basetsana Khumalo, Angela Sithole, Sihle Ndaba and others.
The premise of the “challenge accepted” trend is that these photos promote female empowerment, and that nominating friends to take part in the campaign is a way for women to support each other.
Challenge accepted. Thank you for nominating me @vanessabryant ❤️ I am awed by the power of women loving each other and lifting each other up!!!!! And I adore you Xo. Kerry Washington joined in the challenge as she posted on her instagram.
Sihle Ndaba- Here’s to phenomenal women, may we be them, may we know them, may we raise them…
Basie Khumalo – “If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb.
Together we rise, divided we fall.
We are stronger and happier and can achieve more together than apart! – Connie Ferguson captioned in her post.
So far, more than 3 million photos have been uploaded locally and internationally with the #ChallengeAccepted hashtag; many more have appeared without it.
“The trend is still picking up with usage of the hashtag on Instagram doubling in the last day alone,” an Instagram spokeswoman said on Monday. “Based on the posts, we’re seeing that most of the participants are posting with notes relating to strength and support for their communities.”
Many women have included the hashtag #womensupportingwomen in their posts. “Challenge Accepted,”
This is not the first time Instagram users have leveraged black-and-white selfies in support of a vague cause. Back in 2016, black-and-white photos with the hashtag #ChallengeAccepted were meant to spread a message of “cancer awareness.” Over the years the photo trend has also been used to “spread positivity.”
