Our plans for tonight, 2 June 2020, changed and we will not host a virtual event this week.
Quincy Jones wrote: “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.”
When we dance West Coast Swing, when we listen to “West Coast Swing music”, we are participants in and beneficiaries of the culture Jones writes of. Every one of us is connected to black lives.
The purpose of Blackout Tuesday for black-identified people is to disconnect from work to reconnect with community.
The purpose of Blackout Tuesday for whites is to stand in solidarity with the black community. You can use the time to educate yourself on the issues, write letters, make donations…. The minimum necessary effort is to open your ears, close your mouth, and listen without once saying, “Yeah, but…”