Trending

‘Blackout Tuesday’: Music, other entertainment industries go silent on social media to protest killing of George Floyd

By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Social media may seem quiet Tuesday as the music industry goes silent for “Blackout Tuesday."

The movement is to protest the death of George Floyd.

Organizers had asked the industry to “not conduct business as usual," Rolling Stone reported.

The movement is also gaining momentum under the hashtag #TheShowMustBe Paused."

>> Read more trending news

Warner Music Group, Sony Music and Universal Music Group have pledged to stay silent, Rolling Stone reported. Their flagship labels also will take part as will Def Jam Recordings, Interscope and Columbia Records, CNN reported.

MTV will also “focus our attention away from work and towards our community,” president of ViacomCBS Entertainment & Youth Group, Chris McCarthy, told employees, CNN reported.

MTV along with sister networks like Comedy Central, Paramount Network and Pop will go dark for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in Floyd’s memory.

Jamella Thomas and Brianna Agyemang said the music, entertainment and show business worlds need to take a break because “the show can’t just go on, as our people are being hunted and killed,” they told Rolling Stone.

The movement is also “in observance of the long-standing racism and inequality that exists from the boardroom to the boulevard,” CNN reported.

Icons of the entertainment industry are backing the initiative to stay silent.

View this post on Instagram

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”

A post shared by Quincy Jones (@quincydjones) on

But the posts are not just limited to popular music, sports teams, colleges and other groups are also joining.

But not all are happy that some of the posts are adding Black Lives Matter or BLM hashtags. By tagging the group, they say it is blocking important posts needed to combat racism and violence.

Cox Media Group

0

Most Read