(KUTV) — Tuesday is Blackout Day 2020, when Black Americans are urged to showcase their combined economic might by refusing to spend any money. Those who have to buy something are encouraged to spend their money at Black-owned businesses.
Supporters of the campaign compare it to the year-long bus boycott of 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama, when some Blacks refused to pay for a bus ride until they were allowed to site wherever they wanted.
So, how did Blackout Day 2020 start?
For the past two months, Black activists have promoted the idea on social media and invited Black communities across the nation to boycott purchases on Tuesday, July 7.
Karen Rodriquez, marketing chair and director with the Utah Black Chamber, told 2News this isn’t about hurting the U.S. economy, it’s about raising awareness.
“We have the ability to impact change by pulling our money. So the expectation for businesses and government agencies is to recognize that our value also comes from that monetary expense, and so if you want to be able to support the Black community, you need to understand that we really contribute to the American fold,” Rodriquez said.
Rodriquez and Jennifer Stone, co-owner of Diversion, a social eatery, say this campaign is a good start, but it’s important to them to keep the conservation going.
“We started getting phone calls of people saying, ‘Hey do you want to be known as a Black-owned business or do you want to be known for your food?,’ and we were like, ‘Well, both.'” Stone said. “We want… we are whole human beings.
We have hearts, we have spirits, we have bodies, and we are more than just one thing. And so I want people really to know that we are more than just this one thing. I think it’s important that we showcase Black-owned businesses.
They invited everyone to participate in Blackout Day.
Click here for a list of Black-owned businesses.
