All About #BlackoutDay2020
Make their pockets hurt.
by MYKENNA MANIECE ★ JULY 6, 2020
Tomorrow (July 7, 2020) is a call to action for people, specifically Black people, to spend no money. Yes, you read that right. To spend absolutely no money on clothes, groceries, activities... anything. Why? Keep reading to find out.
According to the University of Georgia’s Multicultural Economy Report, minorities in America have a combined buying power of $3.9 trillion per year, with Black people accounting for $1.2 trillion of that total. To put this in perspective, $3.9 trillion is greater than the gross domestic products of countries like Germany, Brazil, and India. We all know that in our society, money is power. That’s why when Calvin Martyr first posted a video calling for an economic blackout, the idea resonated. Though this day is intended to unite and uplift Black people in a day of solidarity, all other minorities and their allies are encouraged to participate as well. By leveraging the economic power Black people and other minorities hold in this country, we can continue to raise awareness and advocate for real change to take place.
History has shown us how effective economic boycotts can be. The most prominent example in American history was the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which occurred from December 5, 1955, to December 20, 1956. Approximately 40,000 Black riders boycotted the bus system, choosing to walk or carpool instead. The Montgomery City Lines lost roughly 30,000 to 40,000 bus fares daily — 65% of their income. The economic pressure put on the company initially resulted in the increased harassment of protestors, but later helped lead to the desegregation of Montgomery busses.
Credit: Pinterest (encyclopediaofalabama.org)
On a global scale, economic boycotts have been equally effective. For example, in 1986, an international campaign was launched against the oil company Royal Dutch Shell in order to protest apartheid. Shell was the second-largest oil company in the world and it had recently invested $400 million in South Africa. In 1987 The Chicago Tribune reported Shell’s involvement with the country led many to believe they were complicit “in furthering apartheid through business dealings with the white government.” Therefore, American civil rights and labor groups called for a boycott of Shell gas stations. Congress also passed the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 which banned South African imports, airlines, and foreign aid from the U.S. The South African government continued to face mounting pressures from the international community, which contributed to the ending of apartheid.
Credit: Kora
These are just two of the many examples throughout history of people using their spending power to push for change. It can be easy to feel discouraged and like you aren’t doing enough in times like these, but remember even small acts add up in the long run. We are responsible for how we choose to spend our money--not just tomorrow, but every day. Continue to care about where your money is spent. Companies like Sephora and Nike have pledged to step up, but will you continue to support them if they don’t? We also have the ability to leverage our individual spending power by investing in Black-owned businesses. Not sure where to start? Click here to see a list of 75 businesses you can support! (Please note, there are many many more out there!)
Tomorrow’s blackout is not meant to be one day of performative activism and solidarity — as I’m sure you’ve heard by now, it’s a movement, not a moment and we’re in it for the long haul.
Sources:
https://www.blackoutday.org/about/
https://www.listenmoneymatters.com/economic-boycotting/
https://www.newswise.com/articles/minority-markets-have-3-9-trillion-buying-power
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/montgomery-bus-boycott
https://www.nps.gov/articles/montgomery-bus-boycott.htm
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-05-17-8702060608-story.html
https://thestacker.com/stories/2502/major-boycotts-changed-history
Cover photo credit: Complex