Blackout Day 2020 is an economic boycott launched by Texas-based Calvin Martyr in which he calls for all Black people in America, and any ally who may wish to stand with them, to put their money where their values are and for one day — July 7, 2020 — to refuse to spend a single dollar. And if they must spend money, to spend it at a Black-owned business.
The additional form of protest will wield the power of the consumer against ingrained forms of systemic racism and perhaps motivate change quicker than taking to the streets. (Just look at what happened after FedEx — a major team/stadium sponsor — asked the notedly stubborn Washington Redskins to change their racist name due to pressure from company shareholders: the franchise is finally considering it.)
"The only way as a people we will get any change is if we unite solidarity with the dollar," Martyr says in his YouTube call to action. "I guarantee you if for one day in America not one Black person spent a dollar, not online, not on Amazon, no fast food places, no restaurants, no stores, if for one day — July 7, 2020... — if we get enough Black people, all Black people, we can unite like they did in Montgomery, Alabama where not one single Black person rode a bus. That right there is what caused the Civil Rights legislation to come because they touched them pockets."
A 2018 Nielsen report says Black consumers spend $1.2 trillion a year, a fact echoed by the Blackout Day website, which also says "together we have 3.9 trillion dollars in economic spending power."
According to Money.com, Martyr is also the organizer of The Blackout Coalition and a musician. On the Blackout Coalition instagram page, they have an informative image you can share and post to your own social media.
"This movement is an awakening of the national consciousness of Black people in America and abroad," says blackoutday.org. "We need economic solidarity in America amongst all Black people unequivocally. In order to break free from the chains of financial servility, we will organize days, weeks, months, and years if necessary when not one Black person in America will spend a dollar outside of our community."
If you want to shop local and keep your money with Black-owned businesses today, here are some resources.
In May, Cincinnati City Council member Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney launched an initiative called #CincyBuyBlackThursdays to help Black-owned businesses impacted by COVID-19. She also relaunched the city's online Black Business Directory. Find it at cincinnati-oh.gov.
We also created a list of some of Cincinnati's Black-owned restaurants and shops to support.
The Voice of Black Cincinnati also has multiple lists of retail, professional services, restaurants, nail techs and more.
The #BlackoutDay2020 is trending on Twitter if you're looking for more information and resources (or, certainly, debate).
"While we welcome allies who choose to stand with us, we make absolutely no apology for the fact this movement is FOR US & BY US," says blackoutday.org.
