Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Use The BLM Hashtag For #BlackoutTuesday
Users on social media are sharing images of black squares in solidarity with black victims of police violence but some are warning against using BLM hashtags.
The hashtags #BLM and #BlackLivesMatter are currently being used to share crucial content surrounding protests, donations for organizations, and document police violence. Users on social media are joining in on the Blackout Tuesday protest that was spearheaded by workers in the music industry and supported by users on social media (specifically IG) who have posted the black squares to show their support for the movement.
While the intentions behind the gestures are pure, many are tagging their posts with the #BLM and #BlackLivesMatter hashtags and wiping out channels that are used to share vital information.
The better hashtags to use for the movement would be its actual namesake #BlackOutTuesday or the hashtag around the original protest organized by two black women in the music industry #TheShowMustBePaused. Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang called out their peers in the music business to
take a beat for an honest reflective, and productive conversation about what actions we need to collectively take to support the black community. The music industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. An industry that has profited predominately from Black Art. Our mission is to hold the industry at large, including major corporations + their partners who benefit from the efforts, struggles and success of Black people accountable.
In addition to record labels, musicians, DJs, radio stations and media companies have joined in, sharing their messaging under the #TheShowMustBePaused hashtag along with action steps that describe what they're doing to be part of the change as they express their solidarity with the black community.
It is unclear if #TheShowMustBePaused will go beyond 24 hours, but as protests continue to spread across the U.S. in response to the police killing of George Floyd social media will continue to be a hub for those organizing and rising up against racism, hatred, and police brutality.