The social media trend and controversy around #BlackoutTuesday

On June 2, 2020, the hashtag #BlackoutTuesday was at the top of social media trends. Some people are criticizing the movement while other people are wondering what’s going on.

This movement started in the music industry but appears to have seeped into other businesses, but it also caused some controversy.

As protests over the death of George Floyd continue around the US, a movement was started by music execs Brianna Agyemang and Jamila Thomas, who wrote on a site that Tuesday (June 2, 2020) would be a day to pause all business and take a stand against the racism that exists from the boardroom to the boulevard.

The movement is going to take the form of people posting all-black pictures to Instagram and other social media platforms.

Mick Jagger, Quincy Jones, and other celebrities, with music companies and studios, all announced they would be participating ahead of June 2.

People can also join by posting a completely black square on social media, like these celebrities, sports teams, and companies did, with the hashtag #TheShowMustBePaused or #BlackoutTuesday.

There were criticisms about the movement. Many people who participated in the movement used the hashtag along with their posts. But the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter is normally used as a tool for protestors to communicate information through social media.

With the blackout, it’s being rendered useless as a hashtag. When people click on the hashtag, they’re being confronted with a sea of black squares and not with anything about what’s going on with protests across the country.

There are larger complaints about the movement, saying this is a time to spread awareness, and not just blackout social media feeds. There are arguments that now, more than ever, is when communication shouldn’t be blacked out.