Sophie Camplejohn, Grade 11
UWC Pearson
How Blackout Tuesday Diminishes the Black Lives Matter Movement and Alternative Methods as an Ally
‘Have you heard about the story of George Floyd?’ Minneapolis police officers held their knee on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds as he cried out; ‘I can’t breathe’, over and over before becoming unconscious and dying. The officers responsible must be held accountable and charged for first-degree murder. Floyd’s death triggered Black Lives Matter protests across the world, raged against police brutality. An article by the LA Times discusses the reasons people are choosing to protest. I hope it inspires you to find your reasons.
Blackout Tuesday was one of the attempts made to protest the systemic racism present in America. However, it arguably did more harm than good. If you have logged onto social media recently, you most likely have seen an all-black photo, with the caption #blackouttuesday. The movement was started by Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang, stating that Tuesday, on June 2, ‘would be a day to pause all business and take a stand against the racism and inequality that exists from the boardroom to the boulevard.' It is also an attempt to express solidarity with those protesting the murder of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery and every other name, plus countless more, on the photo above. It is important to say their names and to remember their stories.
Blackout Tuesday was an important day, but it should also serve as a reminder that this fight does not end today or tomorrow, or after one post about it. Do not treat ‘Black Lives Matter’ as a trend, or an excuse to post on Instagram; it is a worldwide movement.
In light of this, I would like to address the controversy around Blackout Tuesday. Let us remind ourselves that when you post #blackouttuesday, the Instagram algorithm merges all posts with #Blacklivesmatter. By using this hashtag, you are unintentionally participating in crowding critical information on fundraising, education, and protesting purposes. People use hashtags as a way to follow updates and information on the movement, making all the blackout posts obstacles for those trying to find the updates and relevant information.
Also, let us remind ourselves that posting a black square on Instagram, but not signing any petitions, and not donating when you have the money to, is not ‘activism’; it is participating in an Instagram challenge.
I have also shared an article below that links numerous ways to help out, other than posting a blackout photo. Please take the time to read.
We must continue to fight for justice for so many: For George Floyd. For every story, we never heard. For every family that has lost a sister or father. For all the little children who shouldn't have to fear the people who are supposed to protect us.
As Michelle Obama put it so perfectly, ‘It’s up to all of us - Black, white, everyone - no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out’.
Let’s not beat around the bush. I am white. I am privileged for it. Living in the US, I have watched the news report horrific murders of innocent black men, women, children (or however you choose to identify as). I have tried to find ways to participate, yet always struggled to. I felt it wasn’t a fight I could take on without being out of place.
If you've found yourself in the same uncomfortable position, know that you can be a part of this fight in many ways: Please go talk to family members about this, or members of the black community (although, it is not their obligation to), read a book about it. Write about it. Sign a petition. Donate. Follow the news. Protest. Study the history of it. Being an ally or activist does not necessarily translate to ‘big actions’, every action counts.
I, myself, recently began reading So You Want To Talk About Race? By Ijeoma Oluo, and it has changed my life. I recommend it to every single person reading this article. Like many, I praise this book as a ‘necessary course correction’ (Dream Hampton, producer of Surviving R. Kelly) and ‘the one book every white person should read this year’ (Bustle). For me, as a person of privilege, it has helped me learn how to listen, and better grasp the necessity to discuss racial oppression. We need to act not out of guilt or fear, but compassion and solidarity. The effectiveness of activism is based on its ability to incite more radical ways of being. It is to invite actual dialogue between people who are frustrated with the way things are.
Chapter 5 of Oluo’s novel, titled ‘Is Police Brutality Really About Race’ delves into the link between race and police brutality. She uses statistics, like how black drivers are 23% more likely to be pulled over than white drivers, as well as personal and shared experiences, like being pulled over for going one mile over the speed limit, as well as the history of police, who were established as slave catchers and many were members of the Ku Klux Klan.
Police brutality is real. It is an attack against our humanity and foundation as people. There are so many ways to fight it, and, no matter your race, it is inexcusable not to.
‘Have you heard about the story of George Floyd?’ Minneapolis police officers held their knee on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds as he cried out; ‘I can’t breathe’, over and over before becoming unconscious and dying. The officers responsible must be held accountable and charged for first-degree murder. Floyd’s death triggered Black Lives Matter protests across the world, raged against police brutality. An article by the LA Times discusses the reasons people are choosing to protest. I hope it inspires you to find your reasons.
Blackout Tuesday was one of the attempts made to protest the systemic racism present in America. However, it arguably did more harm than good. If you have logged onto social media recently, you most likely have seen an all-black photo, with the caption #blackouttuesday. The movement was started by Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang, stating that Tuesday, on June 2, ‘would be a day to pause all business and take a stand against the racism and inequality that exists from the boardroom to the boulevard.' It is also an attempt to express solidarity with those protesting the murder of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery and every other name, plus countless more, on the photo above. It is important to say their names and to remember their stories.
Blackout Tuesday was an important day, but it should also serve as a reminder that this fight does not end today or tomorrow, or after one post about it. Do not treat ‘Black Lives Matter’ as a trend, or an excuse to post on Instagram; it is a worldwide movement.
In light of this, I would like to address the controversy around Blackout Tuesday. Let us remind ourselves that when you post #blackouttuesday, the Instagram algorithm merges all posts with #Blacklivesmatter. By using this hashtag, you are unintentionally participating in crowding critical information on fundraising, education, and protesting purposes. People use hashtags as a way to follow updates and information on the movement, making all the blackout posts obstacles for those trying to find the updates and relevant information.
Also, let us remind ourselves that posting a black square on Instagram, but not signing any petitions, and not donating when you have the money to, is not ‘activism’; it is participating in an Instagram challenge.
I have also shared an article below that links numerous ways to help out, other than posting a blackout photo. Please take the time to read.
We must continue to fight for justice for so many: For George Floyd. For every story, we never heard. For every family that has lost a sister or father. For all the little children who shouldn't have to fear the people who are supposed to protect us.
As Michelle Obama put it so perfectly, ‘It’s up to all of us - Black, white, everyone - no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out’.
Let’s not beat around the bush. I am white. I am privileged for it. Living in the US, I have watched the news report horrific murders of innocent black men, women, children (or however you choose to identify as). I have tried to find ways to participate, yet always struggled to. I felt it wasn’t a fight I could take on without being out of place.
If you've found yourself in the same uncomfortable position, know that you can be a part of this fight in many ways: Please go talk to family members about this, or members of the black community (although, it is not their obligation to), read a book about it. Write about it. Sign a petition. Donate. Follow the news. Protest. Study the history of it. Being an ally or activist does not necessarily translate to ‘big actions’, every action counts.
I, myself, recently began reading So You Want To Talk About Race? By Ijeoma Oluo, and it has changed my life. I recommend it to every single person reading this article. Like many, I praise this book as a ‘necessary course correction’ (Dream Hampton, producer of Surviving R. Kelly) and ‘the one book every white person should read this year’ (Bustle). For me, as a person of privilege, it has helped me learn how to listen, and better grasp the necessity to discuss racial oppression. We need to act not out of guilt or fear, but compassion and solidarity. The effectiveness of activism is based on its ability to incite more radical ways of being. It is to invite actual dialogue between people who are frustrated with the way things are.
Chapter 5 of Oluo’s novel, titled ‘Is Police Brutality Really About Race’ delves into the link between race and police brutality. She uses statistics, like how black drivers are 23% more likely to be pulled over than white drivers, as well as personal and shared experiences, like being pulled over for going one mile over the speed limit, as well as the history of police, who were established as slave catchers and many were members of the Ku Klux Klan.
Police brutality is real. It is an attack against our humanity and foundation as people. There are so many ways to fight it, and, no matter your race, it is inexcusable not to.
Bibliography:
Quotes Used (in order of reference):
www.change.org/p/mayor-jacob-frey-justice-for-george-floyd-a215bf63-bda7-4403-b03e-429b2693e93.https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/06/blackout-tuesday-social-media-origin-critics
www.cnn.com/2020/05/30/politics/michelle-obama-george-floyd-statement-trnd/index.html.
References Mentioned:
www.latimes.com/projects/george-floyd-protests-responses/.www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/06/9850252/blackout-tuesday-problem-black-lives-matter-backlash.
Information Sources: www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/george-floyd-investigation.html.
Quotes Used (in order of reference):
www.change.org/p/mayor-jacob-frey-justice-for-george-floyd-a215bf63-bda7-4403-b03e-429b2693e93.https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/06/blackout-tuesday-social-media-origin-critics
www.cnn.com/2020/05/30/politics/michelle-obama-george-floyd-statement-trnd/index.html.
References Mentioned:
www.latimes.com/projects/george-floyd-protests-responses/.www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/06/9850252/blackout-tuesday-problem-black-lives-matter-backlash.
Information Sources: www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/george-floyd-investigation.html.
www.unitedworldwide.co