Tuesday, July 7th Blackout day is ant-racist protest in the wake of the Black Killing Season in America as a form of Economic Protest. Black people in American spend 1.2 trillion annually in the U.S according to the Nielsen Report. For one day called Blackout Day the Organizers of the economic boycott, this “Day of Absence” are asking the Black community to spend no money at all or to spend with Black Businesses only.
Blackout Day is a call to action uniting Black people in economic solidarity. The event’s founder Calvin Martyre of Texas says, “we are asking Black people in America for one day 24 hours not to spend a dollar anywhere – not on line , not with Amazon, fast foods or restaurants unless you are spending with a Black Business. “The only way we will get any change is if we unite”, said Martyre. On the official website for Blackout Day 2020 organizers outline their demands, “to stop being shot down in the streets and for equal opportunity to access funding so that we can conduct business and practice group economics amongst ourselves.
Boycotts were a key tool that created change during the Civil Rights era . Most recently their have been boycotts against a Whole Foods and Starbucks last month for sending their employers home for wearing Black Lives Matter Mask and attire.
The organizers on their website deem Blackout day as aimed at empowering and uplifting Black people; the movement welcomes allies. “We welcome All people of color to stand with us in solidarity. While we welcome allies who choose to stand with us we make absolutely no apology for the fact that this movement is FOR US & BY US.
IF MUST SPEND, SPEND WITH A BLACK OWNED BUSINESS AS THEY HAVE BEEN FACING THE WORST OF THE CORONA VIRUS ECONOMIC HIT. Search social media for Support Black Owned, We Buy Black, #BlackOwnedBusiness, #SupportBlackBusiness on Instagram and Twitter; Etsy is highlighting Black-owned Etsy Shops and The Blackout Coalition has created a directory to help you find Black owned businesses.
HARLEM NETWORK NEWS IS A BLACK OWNED BUSINESS INSTITUTION SO PLEASE ON THIS GREAT “DAY OF ABSENCE” CLICK ON THE HARLEMNETWORKNEWS.COM DONATION BUTTON AND KEEP HARLEM NETWORK NEWS ALIVE – WE WELCOME VOLUNTEERS, FIND US ON THE WEB, ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, YOUTUBE AND INSTAGRAM.