Friday, November 2, 2007 calls for African-Americans to join in solidarity with one another and refrain from spending any money. This day of protest is being deemed a “Blackout”. This Blackout is being inspired by the various noose incidents across the country, injustice surrounding the Jena 6 trial, and the rape and torture of Megan Williams. The question is, how effective is this call for action?

During the last twenty years, the advancements of the Black community, as a whole, appear to have been trumped by the emergence of popular media (music, television, movies) solely dedicated to diminishing any sense of pride or social responsibility, and advocating Black youth to engage in violence, promiscuity, and vanity. In years past, many efforts have been made to resurrect the spirit of resistance that moved the civil rights movement: The Million Man March, forums centered on stopping the violence, panels discussing the current state of hip-hop, and now, this Blackout.

How will this Blackout affect the issues, which it aims to address? True, the values of supporting Black business and advocating using economics as a strategy to gain the attention of the government are valid and important, however, taking one day to protest, without a serious course of action or even a clear goal, is at the least, similar to a temper-tantrum. Unlike the Alabama bus boycotts, which were clear, concise, and were able to withstand and remain strong over time, this Blackout is simply a day that seeks to show the government the power of the African-American dollar. But what if this day is ignored? Will there be another protest tomorrow?

If there is a true change to be made, and justice is really what is being sought, we have to do more than protest, we have to think critically and organize. One of my favorite sayings is, “In order to get what you have never got, you have to do what you have never done.” Meaning, we have protested, the protests have sparked conversation but the problems that inspire the protests have not ceased. So, we have to do something more than protest. So participate in the Blackout, don’t spend money, join in a unified effort, but know that that is the least we can do in response to the current state of affairs in the Black community.
—Jazmyne Young