Music Industry Calls For 'Blackout' Over Death Of George Floyd
George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man, died last week after police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck for several minutes. Footage of the arrest on May 25th shows Chauvin kneeling on Mr Floyd's neck while he was pinned to the floor. Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin has been sacked and charged with third-degree murder. He is due to appear in court on Monday, amid ongoing protests in the US and UK.
The music industry is observing a day-long “blackout” today, June 2, in response to George Floyd’s death. Organizers of the planned event asked the industry to “not conduct business as usual” .
Jamila Thomas, senior director of marketing at Atlantic Records, wrote in a statement to music-industry colleagues on Instagram on Friday, “#Theshowmustbepaused is an initiative created by two black women in music in observance of the long-standing racism and inequality that exist from the boardroom to the boulevard,” the duo wrote. “Our mission is to hold the industry at large, including major corporations and their partners who benefit from the efforts, struggles, and successes of black people accountable. To that end, it is the obligation of these entities to protect and empower the black communities that have made them disproportionately wealthy in ways that are measurable and transparent.”
Thomas and her partner in the initiative, Brianna Agyemang (former Atlantic Records employee), made a formal call to action, asking those who work in music, entertainment, and show businesses to “pause” on Tuesday because “the show can’t just go on, as our people are being hunted and killed.” Tons of social media posts from record labels and other industry employees soon followed.
This movement has spread on social media. While these posts may be well-intended, several activists and influencers have pointed out that posting a blank black image with a bunch of tags clogs up critical channels of information and updates. Deadline explains that using the hashtag #blacklivesmatter can bury black creators content, which is counterproductive to the overall goal of today. Instead, use #blackouttuesday.
Brittany Packnett Cunningham shares the meaning of #blackouttuesday on Blavity News explaining that although some of us are sharing these blackout photos, we cannot be silent. We must share resources, where to donate , how to support this movement, etc. This isn’t a time to be silent. But a time to let black voices be heard.
Rolling Stone shares, “Sources close to Tuesday Rolling Stone shares’s plan say more initiatives from the industry are on the way and will be announced shortly.”
If you’ve been participating in the recent protests and want to do more, or if you’re unable to participate and want to do something, one way to help is to donate your money or your time.
Where To Donate
The Bail Project HERE.
Help the family of George Floyd HERE.
Fight for Breonna Taylor HERE.
Help the family of Ahmaud Arbery HERE.
M4BL (Movement For Black Lives) HERE.
National Bail Fund Network HERE.
Know Your Rights Camp HERE.
Black Lives Matter HERE.
ACT Blue HERE.