What is #Blackouttuesday (Blackout Tuesday)?
Blackout Tuesday, better known as #blackouttuesday (hashtag blackouttuesday) on social media, is a call to action to stand in solidarity and show support for Black Lives Matter and the injustice and brutality of minorities at the hands of police officers.
On June 2, 2020, everyone (Black or White) in support of the injustice and police brutality in America, is using the hashtag #blackouttuesday on all social media platforms (including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest and Snapchat) to demonstrate their dissatisfaction, uprise, and call to action of the injustice in America.
This trend is in support of the murder of George Floyd (as well as countless other African Americans) at the hands of police officers. The movement hopes to bring more attention to police brutality, not only in America, but also across the world. It also hopes to support and recognize that racism is a global issue that needs to be addressed in a major way, just like many other social issues.
As of the time of this this post, #blackouttuesday has over 16 million participants around the world and no doubt the number will continue to grow.
What to Post for #Blackouttuesday
To participate in #blackouttuesday on June 2, 2020, post a picture that is solid black on your social media feed and use the hashtag #blackouttuesday in your caption.
Here is a picture of a solid black background you can use for your post.
You can also be creative with #blackouttuesday as these individuals did in their post:
This post has a blacked out background and a picture of an Black and White person holding hands with the caption "#blackouttuesday 🖤":
This post has a blacked out background and a faint picture of George Floyd holding hands with the caption "#blackouttuesday 👊🏿👊🏾👊🏽👊🏼❤️":
This post has a blacked out background with the saying "Black Lives Matter, Black Children Matter, Black Futures Matter, Black Love Matters". The caption is "✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿#blacklivesmatter #blackouttuesday":
Other related hashtags to use for #blackouttuesday include:
When posting for #blackouttuesday, it is important NOT to use the hashtag #blacklivesmatter. This is because the #blacklivesmatter hashtag is used to spread important messages to protestors and others. Overpopulating the #blacklivesmatter hashtag with solid images will make it difficult for people to find and use information spread by Black Lives Matter.
How Can I Help Battle Racism and Police Brutality?
You can help with police brutality and racism in a few different ways.
In your community you can:
- Speakout and report racism of any kind
- Standup for a fellow minority who may be in need
- Record and document all forms of racism and police brutally so we can hold individuals accountable
- As a minority, fight for unfair rights in every situation, big or small
- Report any instance of racism to officials (not all cops are bad and although the system may fail to address some of these complaints, putting pressure of them will make them listen)
- Be involved in community discussions that address racism. Don't think your voice is too little to be heard
You can also help by making donations to organization who are making a change in many communities and standing up for racism and police brutality. These include:
- George Floyd Memorial Fund
- Minnesota Fredom Fund
- Reclaim the Block
- National Bail Out
- Black Lives Matter
- Bail Project
- Black Visions Collective
- Campaing Zero
- National Bail Fund Network
- The Innocent Project
- Run with Maud
- Justice for Breonna
- People's City Council Freedom Fund [GoFundMe]
To help bring justice for the murder of George Floyd, call or text the following:
- Call DA Mike Freeman in Minnesota (612-348-5550) and demand prosecuation to Derek Chauvin (Badge #1087) and Tou Thao (badge #7162)
- Text FLOYD to 55-156
- Text JUSTICE to 66-8336
- Text ENOUGH to 55-156
- Leave a message for Louisville Mayor and demand justice for Breonna Taylor at 502-574-2003
You can also sign petitions to bring justice for Breonna Taylor and George Floyd from the following links in change.org:
- Justice for George Floyd (change.org)
- Colors of Change #JusticeForFloyd
- Justice for Breonna Taylor (change.org)
- Justice for Ahmaud Arbery (change.org)
Each and every single one of us has a part to bring forth justice and equality in America and around the world. Racism has gone on for way to long and it's been about time things changed.
Comment below on your thoughts on this matter!