Blackout Friday

The resurgence of nooses in some cities led one black radio station to urge African-Americans not to spend any money on Nov. 2, the effort is being referred to as ”National Blackout Day.”

Warren Ballantine, a radio host on the Syndication One Radio Network, said he came up with the idea for a “National Blackout Day” because felt the federal government wasn’t addressing what he viewed as numerous hate crimes against African-Americans.

According to an article on Reuters.com, Ballantine told his listeners a “blackout” would spur policy changes: “Until we have federal legislation … regarding these hate crimes, as African-Americans we need to band together to show our economic power by refusing to spend any money from fast-food restaurants to gas.”

 While blacks have almost $800 billion in spending power, some people, like CNN’s Roland Martin, are questioning whether the boycott will have any effect.

“One issue I raised with Ballentine was how do you measure such a protest to show its effectiveness. He said others had raised a similar point, and noted that it’s important to not be discouraged by such talk, but to move people to act…I concur that it’s critical that Americans express their displeasure if they believe the nation is headed in the wrong direction. But to be honest, we have tons of ways of doing that,” Martin said. 

He added that while a one-day protest was good start, it isn’t enough to truly bring about change or incite other people to do so.

“Maybe Ballantine will get people to express their frustration. OK, fine. But that’s just not for me. And it shouldn’t be for you. We have enough Americans mad,” Martin said.