Why the music industry is uniting to take part in a day of silence to show solidarity to the black community #BlackLivesMatter
This Tuesday, June 2, Kerrang! will take part in #TheShowMustBePaused, an initiative set up by two black women in music – Atlantic Records exec Jamila Thomas and Platoon’s Brianna Agyemany – in which the industry will not be conducting any business, and instead will observe a day of silence.
Following six days of protest after the death of George Floyd while in police custody, the music industry is set to mark ‘Blackout Tuesday’ in solidarity with the black community.
As a way to “intentionally disrupt the work week”, #TheShowMustBePaused has been launched “in observance of the long-standing racism and inequality that exists from the boardroom to the boulevard”.
“It is a day to take a beat for an honest, reflective and productive conversation about what actions we need to collectively take to support the black community,” write Jamila and Brianna.
“This is not just a 24-hour initiative,” they add. “We are and will be in this fight for the long haul. A plan of action will be announced.”
As well as Kerrang!, management companies, record labels and artists have have all pledged to suspend all their activities for the day as a show of unity with those who have suffered any and all forms of racial injustice.
Instead of working a normal day, #TheShowMustBePaused have suggested many alternatives as a way of taking part:
• Donate to George Floyd’s memorial fund.
• Fight for Breonna Taylor, a first responder who was killed in her bed by police searching for drugs that were never found.
• Help the family of Ahmaud Arbery, a black man who was shot while jogging.
• Donate to the community bail funds of protestors.
• Head over to Movement For Black Lives.
• Connect with leaders building grassroots campaigns.
• And check out these anti-racism resources.
Additionally, write Jamila and Brianna, “If you have been impacted by the recent events, take a break – there is a lot going on and sometimes we all just need a minute. Take that minute.”
Tomorrow, we urge you to take the time to reflect on recent events and to try and make a difference if you can.
Kerrang! will resume publishing on Wednesday, and will continue from thereon to support this initiative in the name of equality for all.
#TheShowMustBePaused #BlackLivesMatter
