The music industry is going on pause on Tuesday as part of a movement being referred to as #BlackoutTuesday.
According to CNN the movement was spearheaded by music executives Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang in an effort to shutter normal business operations on June 2 using their #theshowmustbepaused initiative.
In a letter explaining the effort posted to their official site, Thomas and Agyemang said it is “in observance of the long-standing racism and inequality that exists from the boardroom to the boulevard.”
Artists then took to their own platforms to show support to the movement. Music streaming platforms like Apple Music also took part tweeting, “On Tuesday, June 2nd, Apple Music will observe Black Out Tuesday. We will use this day to reflect and plan actions to support Black artists, Black creators, and Black communities. #TheShowMustBePaused #BlackLivesMatter.”
On Tuesday, June 2nd, Apple Music will observe Black Out Tuesday. We will use this day to reflect and plan actions to support Black artists, Black creators, and Black communities. #TheShowMustBePaused #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/xkvn31DpYc
— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) June 2, 2020
The legendary Quincy Jones took to his instagram to show his support for the movement writing, “It’s hard to know what to say because I’ve been dealing with racism my entire life. That said, it’s rearing its ugly head right now & by God it’s time to deal with it once & for all. My team & I stand for justice. Conversations will be had & action will be taken.
#THESHOWMUSTBEPAUSED For all of my friends in the blind and differently-abled communities, here’s the text that is included in this image: “MUSIC INDUSTRY BLACK OUT TUESDAY Due to recent events please join us as we take an urgent step of action to provoke accountability and change. As gatekeepers of the culture, it’s our responsibility to not only come together to celebrate the wins, but also hold each other up during a loss. Join us on Tuesday JUNE 2 as a day to disconnect from work and reconnect with our community. #THESHOWMUSTBEPAUSED”
The hashtag #BlackoutTuesday quickly began trending on social media with some mixed reactions.
#BlackOutTuesday in solidarity with USA Black struggle! Silence white noise! pic.twitter.com/KEjDxCHSdC
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) June 2, 2020
IDK ABOUT THE #BLACKOUTTUESDAY MOVEMENT . ONLY BECAUSE ONCE WE REALLY STARTED TO GET SOMEWHERE W THIS MOVEMENT NOW ITS TIME TO TAKE A DAY OF SILENCE??? (1/3)
— 🌋💀 (@lilgnar) June 2, 2020
but #BlackOutTuesday doesn’t mean you can stop posting, it means you don’t make any irrelevant post today and instead dedicate making post related to our main objective which is to keep spreading awareness on blm movement. fight for justice! pic.twitter.com/svQfYTt5V0
— ⁸ (@atzdazzling) June 2, 2020
Visit this link for information on how to help and donate: https://t.co/opPUVhLAVn #blackouttuesday pic.twitter.com/1n2HFpESBu
— Loish (@loishh) June 2, 2020
Pausing. Listening. learning. #BlackOutTuesday ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/XBdx3YlP7M
— JORDAN (@JordanWeekender) June 2, 2020
Stop using the blm hashtag for #BlackOutTuesday posts!!! It’s pushing all the useful information about the black lives matter movement down! It’s a misguided use of your efforts and actually ends up censoring the voices of the black community!! spread the word!! pic.twitter.com/1Fn5UztZ3X
— Beyonce (@qualityyoncee) June 2, 2020
#BlackOutTuesday is not about social media silence in the time that we need to continue getting our voices heard. Here’s some info. pic.twitter.com/cQMF67pwxt
— ᴍᴊ ⎊ (@darylsconnie) June 2, 2020
