Showing Solidarity While Apart By Carol Wright and Arielle Ostry
O
n the second day of June, one week after the death of George Floyd, our feeds went black. Countless Instagram users posted a solid black image accompanied by the hashtags #BlackLivesMatter (BLM) and #BlackOutTuesday. While this blackout was jarring and attention-grabbing, the blank screen did little to extend the conversation. So while people across the country enjoyed the ease, efficiency, and meaning behind the black square, we can’t help but wonder how much good #BlackOutTuesday truly accomplished. It’s not to say that those participating in the blackout and other tagging trends are wilfully messing with BLM momentum. In fact, it’s heartening to see so much activity online and so many users, regardless of their race, wanting to show their support. But with the blackout (an initiative started with the best of intentions) comes a block in information and resources, a lack of reminders to donate, and a break from the injustices splayed across our screens. We need to remember that true solidarity and allyship is more than just a fad. True allyship means that once the protests are over and the dust has settled, people continue to actively rail against racism. It’s about listening to and supporting Black voices and encouraging conversations that have the power to heal communities and enact meaningful change. With all this in mind, here are some ways you can support the movement beyond tagging friends in your story or posting a black square in solidarity. Because awareness is a great start, but the follow-through is what really matters.
99
Maya J (interview on p. 33) shared how she has seen solidarity throughout the music industry: “Violence, virus, and racist behaviors are escalating in the form of acts that are causing precious lives to be lost. The killing of George Floyd by police is a clear betrayal of public trust. More people are seeing that, and not just people of color. People of all races and walks of life, entire industries like the music industry, have spoken up and denounced this unacceptable behavior because they believe that injustice for one means injustice for all. And enough is enough.”
