BlackoutTuesday: What You Need to Know
06/02/2020Following the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis last week, protests have swept the nation and social media has become a hub of activism. If you're scrolling through Instagram today, June 2, you're undoubtedly seeing the results of #BlackoutTuesday—a feed filled with solid black squares meant to signal support of fighting racial injustice and condemning police brutality.
The initiative was launched by two music industry executives, Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang, who created #TheShowMustBePaused hashtag last weekend in response to the murders of Black people at the hands of police, including Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and encouraged people to participate on June 2. "Tuesday June 2nd is meant to intentionally disrupt the work week," they wrote on their website. "Monday suggests a long weekend, and we can't wait until Friday for change. It is a day to take a beat for an honest, reflective, and productive conversations about what actions we need to collectively take to support the Black community."
Several music industry executives, like those at Def Jam, Interscope, and Sony Music soon agreed to participate, per CNN.
The effort soon spread to other parts of the internet with celebrities and citizens showing their solidarity by posting black squares in their feeds—and we're all being encouraged participate mindfully by not using the hashtags #BLM or #BlackLivesMatter, as it can drown out and push down crucial information organized under those hashtags. "Be strategic about #BlackOutTuesday," activist Raquel Willis wrote. "Don’t use #BLM or #BlackLivesMatter with it. It suppresses vital information. Still post about what Black people are experiencing. Post what’s happening at protests + get involved with them. Educate + share resources about white supremacy."
"Posting black boxes on Instagram and hashtagging black lives matter is rendering the the hashtag useless. Remove the hashtag so actual BLM posts can be seen. #blackouttuesday #BlackLivesMatter," performer Tatianna wrote on Twitter, with hundreds of others echoing.
Celebrities like Kerry Washington, Rihanna, Lebron James, Blake Lively, and many more are all participating in #BlackoutTuesday, along with organizations like the WNBA and a number of brands. "We ain’t buying shit!!! and we ain’t selling shit neither!! gang gang! #BLACKOUTTUESDAY AF!!! @fenty @fentybeauty @savagexfenty ??????," Rihanna wrote in her caption.
The initiative has also drawn skepticism, with critics pointing out that this is not the time for Black voices to be silent or that it's an easy way for companies to virtue-signal without doing putting in real work toward the cause. "Blackout Tuesday is empty signaling. It’s just a checkpoint to pass thru so companies can feel like something has been done," journalism and creative Brandon "Jinx" Jenkins tweeted. "I’d much rather they post the results of all this planning they’re saying they’re doing today."
"Post all the black squares you want but I’m more interested in what you post tomorrow, the next day & the next day after that. More importantly, what actions will you be taking OFFLINE going forward? This is a marathon, not a quick post & bounce. Are you ready? #BlackLivesMatter" musician Ghostpoet wrote on Twitter.
"Now see, an economic black out day makes sense to me. Black people Blacking out your IG picture when that’s exactly who we need to hear from?" activist Brittany Packnett wrote. "Make it make sense."
Whether you choose to participate in #BlackoutTuesday or not, remember that a post is still just a post—and it's important to back that up with action.
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