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The language of the unheard is what protests are and for decades that have passed, it seems to have remained that way. Nonetheless, since the recent passing of George Floyd on the hands of abhorrent police officers, protests for #blacklivesmatter (BLM) have taken the world by storm. Almost instantaneously in response to the demise of George Floyd, with the unlawful deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor still fresh in memory, leaders of the music industry started the trend of posting black blank images scattered around social media.

#blackouttuesday was their means of encouraging people to stop business operations and reflect on the on-going racism and its effects on society along with the already trending #blacklivesmatter posts on various digital platforms. However, these trends might have backfired as activists pointed out that black blank images using similar bunch of hashtags only clog up channels of information and updates, reducing the visibility of different groups of activists carrying out meaningful protests thus harming the message of harm.

Nevertheless, it became evident that #blackouttuesday and #blacklivesmatter have successfully united races, states and countries around the globe against racism and xenophobia, as shown by some of the larger peaceful protests done in notable cities such as Washington, London and Berlin, despite the novel corona disease still being very far from contained. Regardless of the high risk of contracting the virus, protestors have been seen to stand against these brutal acts of prejudice while taking precautionary measures such as wearing masks as they marched in solidarity throughout cities. Have we finally had enough to realise that racism really is the bigger disease all this while? 

#blacklivesmatter started out as a trend,

However, it’s much more than that dear friend.

And #blackouttuesday is no longer a moment,

For finally today, it all becomes a movement

Apparently, what started out as a trend may very well become a turning point for mankind as we learn to better combat the discrimination blacks have faced after years of ill-fated deaths due to their ethnicity. You don’t have to be a person of colour to empathise with the injustice and despair these individuals had endured; a sense of equality and a heart are all you need.

Fear not of being insignificant as you don’t need a large number of followers on social media to create an impact in the lives of others. Actions as simple as sharing petition links and/or spreading messages, as part of continuing the trend, could surely spark an interest amongst friends and family to greater comprehend the severity of the situation while gaining further insights on the movement. Optimistically, such actions will inspire them to use their own platforms in advocating for justice ergo, creating reverberations.

Ultimately, a trend does not necessarily translate to negative connotations of the matter as it keeps the conversation going, enabling the possibility of justice for the families of those who fell victims to institutional racism. Several years from now, as we look back, there is no denying that these prolonged repercussions will be our turning point. Even as George Floyd rests in his well remembered funeral, be assured this movement will not rest until justice is served. 

The generations of today and tomorrow will always remember the moments leading up to this movement and fight against warranting similar miscarriages of justice to ever occur again. Now, imagine having the ability to save lives in the future, that very power resides in you today. Will you allow the said moments to pass by, or will you be a part of the movement that overwrites the history of racism?