African Americans have been told not to spend anything on Friday and some have gone so far as saying don't show up for work either.But it's only one day and can it make a difference? Some people are even asking if it's OK to support Denzel Washington, since his new movie "American Gangster" opens Friday.
It's estimated that African Americans spend $2 billion a day. But according to some financial experts the so-called economic "blackout" won't necessarily crash the stock market and will have minimal economic impact.Others say different. As a year of injustice in the legal system has been brought front and center with the Jena Six, nooses being hung without hate-crime prosecution, Genarlow Wilson and other cases, the boycott's impact could be more symbolic than anything.
The proposed "Blackout" and day of solidarity also comes weeks before a national rally in Washington on Nov. 16. The rally is pushing for legislation for fair legal treatment for African-Americans and hate crimes.
"Economic protest is a good tool; it's putting your money where your mouth is. It is an individual thing. You're not holding a flag, but doing something in a nonviolent way and being mindful of how you spend your money," political analyst John Wade told a Gannett newspaper recently.
This day has some history too, according to the web site harlemlive.org.
In 1969 when black folks were being killed all over this country, some thought it was necessary to respond. For more than forty years " Black Solidarity Day" was observed annually in many cities across the nations on the Monday before Election Day to remind the nation of African Americans importance.
There was a play by Douglas Turner Ward called "The Day of Absence". In that play, blacks disappeared. It illustrated what happened when black people are not involved.
Will you disappear on Friday?
Comments: (125)
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By: Mike on 11/01/2007 1:51PM
This won't amount to anything...if the money was saved in a bank and not spent it would amount to more than spending less on one single day. Everyone will just spend more the days before and the days afterward. The money going to business will be the same for the week. Symbolic but it will not amount to any hardship to any business.
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By: JC on 11/01/2007 3:51PM
Doesn't Rev. Al Sharpton know that Denzel Washington's "AMERICAN GANGSTER" opens Fri, Nov 2nd?
Must Rev. Sharpton's "African-American Boycott On Spending" occur on the very same day?
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By: AHMAHNJ on 11/01/2007 4:22PM
I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF "THE BLACKOUT" AND THE RESURGENCE OF THE MOVEMENT, THE WWW HAS BECOME A NEW TOOL
FOR US TO PUT PREASURE ON THE POWERS THAT BE. PROOF THAT THE WORLD WIDE WEB WORKS WAS SHOWN WITH THE TURN OUT IN JENA, LA..HOWEVER, WHEN WE CAN GET MEASUREABLE DATA FROM EVENTS AND INCIDENTS THAT WILL EFFECT A CHANGE IN THE POWERS THAT BE THEN WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH PLANS THAT WILL EFFECT ALL OF THE MASSES. IF WE THE PEOPLE WANT CHANGE, ALL IT TAKES IS A DAY WHEN WE ALL ACT IN UNISON AND ALLEVIATE THE APATHY IN OUR VILLAGES. LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED.
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By: Andrea on 11/01/2007 5:11PM
I thought it was the terrorists job to hurt the American economy, not the Americans job to hurt the American economy.
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By: Tsicar Ton M'i on 11/01/2007 5:21PM
"African Americans have been told not to spend anything on Friday and some have gone so far as saying don't show up for work either."
Have been told by a radio DJ/Attorney and Al Sharpton? Well, I do not appreciate being "told" what I should spend my hard earned cash on, and will NOT participate. Not spending money, is not going to change the justice system.
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By: LIA on 11/01/2007 6:43PM
Not spend MY money when I feel like it? Theorhetically this may be right, but in all actuallity it's not feasable to me. One day doesn't make a difference. I remember Jesse Jackson coming to Boston telling people not to pay their phone bill when the phone company was on strike. When all was said and done, and folks phones were shut off for non payment....where was Jessie?
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By: Brother From the truth on 11/01/2007 7:48PM
Aol. Why is it that whenever I place a comment that you don't like it doesn't get posted. Yet you advocate freemdom of speech. Hey I'm still going to start a blog to boycott any sponsor who advertises on Don Imus' show. We only need to attack the profit margin. We don't need to be the purchaers of the entire line of that product. With this economy the sponsors will take notice. Hey everyone spread the word. We need everyone to listen to Don Imus on 12/3. Listen for the sponsors(Advertisers) We are planning to boycott any and all product on his show until he is taken off. If a black man had been on the air calling white women or Jewish women etc... whores he would have been kicked off the air without any question. How dare they(Imus Backers) think they have a right to allow this man who disrespect black women back on the air. As to say, "so what." ANd remeber Al sharpton nor Jesse Jackson is running this. This is grass root. So when they put them on TV trying to put a face on the movement pay it no attention. They are bought and paid for. This is a call for people of all colors to support the cause. Don Imus today, low lifed rappers and anyone who disrespects our mothers and grandmothers etc.. tomorrow. Black women will not be disrespected,nor our community at large. We will not take it any more.
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By: Chester Nelson Jr on 11/01/2007 8:25PM
well if it makes a big impact or not we all should try our damnest to stick together 100% I know it's difficult for us but we have to start somewhere displaying some unity and let everyone know that when we stick together we can make a difference in the economy; I'm with it 1000% lets make something happen;
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By: AHolley on 11/01/2007 10:49PM
I think this is a very important issue,it can & will make a difference. It is important for all people to support this protest. Where are the Jewish, Latino, American Indians, all organizations who support equality. Where are the great T.V. Ministers, Billy Graham's mega empire and all of you 700 club followers, The great holy Catholic church representatives?? This should not be a Black American's Fight Alone, the God you speak about, worship and gain financial support from does not uphold injustice, double standards and yes murder.
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By: Alisha on 11/02/2007 12:18AM
The largest impact that could be shown would be within the black owned industries, and major corporations. Are the BET's, and Phat Farm's going to be in on it? If corporate sponsorship doesn't lead the way, then it's no use. The press will laugh, the community will seem divided, and we again will appear as if we are clowns to the American public, basically united in nothing. Stress must be emphasized of what a great "worth" that we have within industry, the stock market, entertainment and so on. If all the major radio stations stopped playing African American artists for one day, all the African American writers, producers, reporters..and so on. What would happen if Oprah, and Tavis Smiley advertised that they would not come to work? And all of BET, and anyone else that had any clout within this world. It's already a shame because he screwed Denzel into looking contradictrary on this day, when he may have been one of his best supporters. Am I getting through to you? Is Al helping or hurting us? I am confused, but I know one thing. We need someone to take real action, and stop playing around. We appreciate Al, but please.
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