Why my friends wont be supporting Black Out Tuesday.
#Blackout and #BlackoutTuesday
Two hashtags that have arisen over the last few days for this very day.
When I first saw this, I was unsure if this was the right way to fight for justice. And then a friend (They are a social activist) posted something that really struck me about the hashtags and the event.
I will write it fairly verbatim so you can experience as I have and draw your own meaning to the event.
"Just have to say. The social media black image or #BlackOutTuesday has already been co-opted into working against people. A "blackout" put down of you social accounts is the very opposite of what the black community needs. It needs to share information and for you to see that information that the state is trying to repress and control. #DontBlackOut.
Searching the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter now just results in a screen of complete black. This is one of the most Vital times for listening to black voices not silencing them.
I hope to educate and not preach and I feel I must now beg people to take the posts down because this is coming across as virtue signalling and accidental censorship and not true support and I know my friends aren't those people. I'm sure the black community welcomes out support but let's find other ways?
Although I know we all mean well. All that has happened is that timelines on twitter and Instagram have been "Blacked Out" it's a repression of public voice in its most visual form. It does not help, please reconsider deleting and going back to sharing more powerful imagery.
You wont be judged.
You will be thanked."
When I read that this morning it struck me that in supporting the Black Out campaign was I in turn supporting the suppression of the voices that need and deserve to be heard.
Because of this I spoke to another friend about this (Also a social activist) to gather their opinion. This response contains a lot of expletives but in the art of staying true to what they say I will repeat verbatim.
"Honestly I think it's bullshit...
The problem with racism is in the system right? It's a systemic problem that's gonna take knowledge and deep understanding from a lot of people to try to change, and a lot of vocal activism. The blackout shit is a great way to get people to shut up when what's needed is vocal support. And it's a great way to allow brands and individuals too to be able to seem supportive without having to offer any kind of deeper understanding of the issue. It's completely performative and encourage silence which are both the exact opposite of what we need in my opinion"
In a topic that is in everyone's mind right now, we want to be talking about it and helping educate people. Not by staying silent.
I know there are arguments either side and I am happy to speak through it with people and work with people in finding to support others in a way that raises their voice rather than silencing it.