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Radio Hosts Call For Anti-racism ‘Blackout’
October 31st, 2007They say that Black folks can show their power by refusing to buy anything on Friday
Could African Americans put a dent in racism by agreeing not to spend a single nickel on the same day of the week? A group of Black radio talk-show hosts believe that Black folks – with an estimated purchasing power near $1 trillion – could force the U.S. government
to take a more aggressive stand against the seeming deluge of racial injustices, from the flurry of nooses and hurry to jail Black youths, to racial profiling and predatory mortgage lenders. Raleigh, N.C., Attorney and radio show host Warren Ballentine says that if African Americans keep their money in their pockets on Friday, they will send a clear message that the Black community is nothing to mess with. He says he got the idea after joining numerous protest marches this year. “After Jena, [the Louisiana march that drew tens of thousands of people] I decided there’s so many things going on in this country as far as [injustices within] the justice system,” Ballentine, who calls himself “The People’s Attorney,” told The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Among other radio personalities who have joined his crusade are Michael Baisden and the Rev. Al Sharpton. “I’m a lawyer and I’m seeing a lot of people across the board suffer from the mortgage crisis,” he said. “I’m asking all Americans to participate, not just blacks. I’m asking people — if you can — don’t spend any money.” With more than 36 million Blacks in the United States, Ballentine says an anti-racism economic boycott can be powerful. “It’s showing togetherness and unity, and it’s one thing we haven’t shown the federal government in a long time,” Ballentine said. “I know this is working because I’m getting death threats and advertisers are starting to worry that they’re going to lose money on this day.” Do you think this is a good idea? Will you participate in the economic boycott on Nov. 2?
I think the word needs to get out more like on the news.This is the first of the month.But I’m down.
i hope they can do it yall should announce it on the news
Thanks for the informtion,will pas on to other here.
whoever think we
I think this is a great idea, because it will show that African Americans do live here in America. It seems that unless you are an extremly rich or famous black person, the rest of America shuns you as non-existent. Me and my family will participate and I believe this will make some type of statement.
yes to the boycott its about time that we stand up come toghter as one people and find for justice in this country. If we all participate int he boycott those sorry folks would take us serious. In the mean while we could also fight a memorial for all the thousands of inocent black men who were lynch in the America, we repariation for the black people that are living today, we need all the banks and organistion who profitted off of slavery to give money so that our kids could have better education, hospitals etc its about every other race has seen improvement and money from those that cause them sorrow,grief and death but oru race is the only race that is still behin, still lacking the funds to improve our life’s I am 100% for it and other events that could justice and improvement for our people.
I don’t hear you “Lee” or “EveningStar”. Do you see why we are saying even you two should come together? I am “Queen”…. even without being married and having a King…. But because I know who I am…, ..I know that if someone would mess with me, I should be able to count on you.. My KINGS to protect me!
California went to Rodney King’s aid even without his asking and shut the city down! It put something on their MIND and we remember that!
I have mixed feelings about it. The civil rights movement was a movement for basic human rights actually, when it all boils down. It is another thing to have a “blackout” day because folks do not like us. I do not think that the old strategies are going to be effective for today. Black people themselves are hurting our communities more than ever and I have not seen anyone accept for Louis Farrakan and Bill Cosby who have tried to make Black people realize this. If anything, get involved in your communities and help each other as a people so that we can be respected. This is all becoming a big joke. Businesses will do nothing more than come up with different marketing strategies to make sure they stay paid. It makes no sense for foreigners to come here and surpass us the way that they do, and I am embarrassed to say it. There has to be a better plan than this to improve our situation here.
Oh, and to add..African blacks surpass us in education and income..not just Asians.
TO LEE @EVERYBODY ELSE WHO DO NOT WANT TO DO IT, DO’NT DO IT , LET US PEOPLE STAND FOR U/ I AN MY BROTHER/SISTERS KEEPEER! I WILL BE PRAYING FOR U ALL. LET’S GET IT POP’N. IOWA, WE READY
I used my whole lunch hour reading this Black Out blog w/comments. Lee with your first comment I thought you were some white dude talking crazy, starting some bullsh*t. Eveningstar I thought at first you were on to something effective. But as I continued to read both of your comments, as well as others. The debate was great, but Eveningstar you go off on the far deep. I mean you go from talking God, to slavery, to white folk (paleface) as you call them. Then through out your whole argument defending the cause (the Black Out), defending yourself, you sound off. Like Lee said you not spelling words right, which is very important when you are making a very important point. You say you have a masters, my question to you is a Masters in what? I mean no disrespect but you turned me off from the boycott by your behavior. It’s like you not stable mentally. You use a lot words to say absolutely nothing. Lee I totally agree with you, when you say make a stand for a month, hell the rest of the year even, we only have two more months left. Bring in 2008 with a great start. In doing this, not only can we make our point to them “the paleface”:), but for those that need discipline to save money this can be a great start for them in that area. Lee I vote you for blog effectiveness President.
We can do anything we put our minds to. Let’s show them how we can unite and make a difference! I am down for it.
A TOTAL WASTE OF TIME AND EFFORT (Actually no effort at all). This is laughable! And a shame. It will have no effect on anything.
I think this is a great idea cuz’ dem white folks need to learn to respect us not by a race, but as a people. Im down with this one right here, we should join toegether and show them wat we been goin thru.
This is the smarts idea. If every single African-American do not spend a single dime, nickel, even penny on friday then we are making a statement. I want to see this really happen, I think they need to advertise it on television, so if they want a lot of people to participate.
This is a JOKE, isn’t it? You mean to tell me you negroes are not going to buy your hairweaves, fake chains and 40 ounces tomorrow? right…..
I LAUGH at you, dummies. You are being manipulated by the poverty pimps and race hustlers of the airwaves.
Quit calling each other NIGGERS. Now that will take some effort, won’t it?
Be for real. This is a waste of time! It will have NO effect on anything!
This site evidently does not like comments which don’t toe the party line. CENSORSHIP!
NOPE!
Lawrence and Athanasius: We as a Black People, have a right to do as we desire. This is why we have our own site “BET” (BLACK ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION). If you are white, why are you on BET’s web? If you don’t like the station, turn it. We are not on your site telling you what to do. Identify your location. Maybe we can come to your house at our next march and watch your TV. Maybe then we can see it from your point of view!