Activist Interlude

Here at Empty Promises, we share our struggles with the toxic relationships we find ourselves caught up in. However, this week I would like to discuss a toxic relationship when it comes to digital activism.

#TheShowMustBePaused began in 2020 by Brianna Agyemang and Jamilla Thomas after the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. I witnessed in real time the response to their murders and this movement came as part of that. George Floyd's death sparked major outrage, something akin to a lot of people's final straw. They wanted justice and for the increase, and general existence, of police brutality to be handled effectively and appropriately.

In the music industry, which both Agyemang and Thomas are a part of as rising music executives, things came to a halt on June 2nd. The idea was to hold the industry at large accountable, as they and all major corporations who do so, profit and benefit off of the efforts, struggles, and successes of Black people. These corporations have a duty to protect and empower the communities which have made them wealthy. Agyemang and Thomas hosted a summit as part of The Show Must Be Paused which acknowledged the celebration of Black art but a lack of support for Black issues. Throughout the industry, Black art was pushed to the forefront and workshops were held in pace of the regular workday at the tree major record labels: Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group. 

Some supporters began to call this "Blackout Tuesday."

The goal to "pause the show" had worked, but social media also spun "Blackout Tuesday" into something bigger. Suddenly feeds were being flooded with black squares captioned with #BlackLivesMatter. The issue this posed was that important information relating to the Black Lives Matter movement was being pushed down and hidden.

Digital activism is important in today's age, but we need to engage critically. Posting a black square once with a hashtag does nothing for a movement like this. It takes away from essential voices, voices which Agyemang and Thomas intended to uplift, and only benefits the person posting through a pat on the back. It gives nothing to the cause.

My advice here is to break-up with performative activism. Read a book on the issues you claim to support and listen to the people who are actively trying to change things. If leaving performative activism behind means taking a step back and reflecting inward then… do that. If you can, go to a protest or volunteer. If you can donate, that’s helpful too. Whatever you choose to do, whatever works best for you, make sure it’s done critically and with intent.