Posts tagged with "black community"

TargetFast: A Lenten Call for Corporate Accountability

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In a move reminiscent of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a grassroots movement is calling for a 40-day fast from Target stores. This Lenten season protest is in response to Target’s alleged backpedaling on its $2 billion pledge to Black-owned businesses and a perceived retreat from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The Need-to-Knows

  • The TargetFast is a 40-day boycott of Target stores, beginning March 3rd and ending April 17th.
  • The organizers are calling for 100,000 conscientious citizens to participate.
  • The fast is a response to Target’s alleged betrayal of the Black community and a broader corporate rollback on DEI efforts.
  • The movement is demanding that Target honor its $2 billion pledge, invest in Black banks, restore its commitment to DEI, and create community centers at HBCUs to teach retail business.

Key Takeaways

  • This boycott highlights the power of consumer activism and the growing demand for corporate accountability.
  • It underscores the importance of DEI initiatives and the consequences of corporate retreat from these commitments.
  • The movement is leveraging the economic power of the Black community to effect change.
  • The use of a Lenten fast adds a spiritual dimension to the protest, emphasizing the moral and ethical implications of corporate actions.

Impact on American Culture and Society

The TargetFast has the potential to significantly impact American culture and society. It could:

  • Force corporations to reconsider their commitment to DEI and social responsibility.
  • Empower marginalized communities to use their economic power to hold corporations accountable.
  • Spark a broader conversation about the role of corporations in social justice issues.
  • Lead to increased support for Black-owned businesses.

Historical Connection to the Montgomery Bus Boycott

The TargetFast draws a clear parallel to the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955-1956. Both movements leverage economic boycotts to protest injustice and demand change. The Montgomery Bus Boycott, sparked by Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat, led to the desegregation of buses and was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Similarly, the TargetFast aims to leverage economic power to challenge corporate policies and promote racial equity.

The Urgency of Now

The organizers of the TargetFast emphasize the urgency of their cause, stating that “Black America is the world’s 12th wealthiest nation in spending power.” By harnessing this economic power, they aim to send a clear message to Target and other corporations: social responsibility is not optional, and the Black community will not tolerate betrayal. The TargetFast is a powerful reminder that consumers have a voice and can use their wallets to vote for change.

Lessons from the Montgomery Bus Boycott applicable to the TargetFast movement:

  • Unified Front: The Montgomery Bus Boycott was successful due to widespread community participation. TargetFast organizers similarly aim to mobilize 100,000 citizens, emphasizing the power of collective action.
  • Non-Violence: The Montgomery Bus Boycott adhered to non-violent protest, maintaining the moral high ground and garnering public support. TargetFast, as a Lenten fast rooted in spiritual principles, also aligns with peaceful resistance.
  • Clear Demands: The Montgomery Bus Boycott had clear, achievable goals – desegregation of buses. TargetFast also presents specific demands to Target Corporation, providing a roadmap for resolution.
  • Perseverance: The Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted over a year, demonstrating the need for sustained effort. TargetFast’s 40-day duration and potential for a “Phase 2” show commitment to long-term change.
  • Economic Impact: The boycott significantly impacted the bus company’s revenue, forcing them to negotiate. TargetFast aims to leverage Black America’s spending power to similarly pressure Target.

By applying these lessons, the TargetFast movement can enhance its effectiveness and potential for achieving its goals.

The TargetFast movement aligns with the spiritual principles of Lent in multiple ways:

  • Sacrifice and Fasting: Lent is a time of sacrifice, and the TargetFast calls for a 40-day fast from spending at Target, mirroring the traditional Lenten practice of fasting from food or other indulgences.
  • Reflection and Repentance: Lent is a season of reflection and repentance. The TargetFast encourages participants to reflect on the importance of economic justice and corporate responsibility, and to repent from supporting companies that neglect these principles.
  • Spiritual Resistance: The TargetFast frames the boycott as a form of spiritual resistance, drawing parallels to Jesus’ actions in the temple. This highlights the moral and ethical dimensions of the protest.
  • Renewal and Transformation: Lent is a time of renewal and transformation. The TargetFast aims to bring about change in corporate practices and promote a more just and equitable society.

By connecting the boycott to the spiritual practices of Lent, the TargetFast movement adds a deeper layer of meaning and purpose to the protest, inviting participants to engage in a holistic act of resistance that encompasses both personal and societal transformation.

The TargetFast movement leverages the economic power of the Black community by:

  • Direct Boycott: Calling for a 40-day fast from spending at Target, directly impacting the company’s revenue.
  • Stock Divestment: Encouraging individuals to sell any Target stock they own, potentially affecting the company’s market value.
  • Circulation of Black Dollars: Partnering with the Black Chamber of Commerce to provide a directory of Black-owned businesses, promoting economic support within the community.
  • Highlighting Spending Power: Emphasizing that Black America has significant spending power ($12 million/day) that can be redirected to support businesses aligned with their values.

By organizing a collective boycott and encouraging alternative spending within the Black community, the TargetFast movement aims to demonstrate the economic influence of Black consumers and hold Target accountable for its actions.

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Jamal Bryant:

NABJ Offers Guidance on Coverage of the Tyre Nichols Murder Footage

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NABJ News

Posted by kstewart

January 27, 2023 12:40 pm

Today, and this weekend, the news cycle will be traumatic. As his family, Memphis citizens, the Black community, and the nation continue to cope with the tragic murder of Tyre Nichols, footage of the horrific death is expected to be released soon.

NABJ extends its deepest condolences to Tyre’s family and all who knew and loved him. We pray for their comfort as they will have to relive that horrendous moment once the footage is made available.

Learning more about what happened to Tyre during the senseless beating by five Black police officers will be painful. It will be painful not just for all those watching, reading and listening to the details of the tragic murder at the hands of police, but also for the Black reporters, editors, producers, photographers, videographers, community managers, etc., covering the story.

They will have to deal with being triggered by past traumatic experiences and stories about police violence while balancing their calling to seek the truth and report it. All while knowing that Tyre could have been their spouse/partner, sibling, child, cousin, or best friend. They will have to stand tall and hold back tears and frustrations in a moment when the world is depending on them to help them understand how these senseless acts of violence continue to happen between police and Black citizens.

RowVaughn Wells, mother of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police officers, cries as she is comforted by Tyre’s stepfather Rodney Wells, at a news conference with civil rights Attorney Ben Crump in Memphis, Tenn., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A Call for Thoughtful and Responsible Journalism

What will matter most during this news cycle is accuracy, responsibility, sensitivity, fairness, and support. News executives and managers must ensure that the reporting produced under their leadership follows the pillars of journalism and unapologetically tells Tyre’s story through a careful lens of the Black community. They must make it a priority to be intuitive about what is seen, heard and read by their audiences. And they must immediately activate and sustain resources to help ensure that the mental health of their staff is properly considered and cared for.

Experiencing trauma after trauma takes its toll on any person. While journalists are coping with trauma as a citizen, they are expected to stay faithful to their duty to accurately report on it, holding back, as much as possible, the same human emotions their audience is feeling. We implore newsroom leaders to recognize that their Black staff members are more than just journalists and creators in this moment. Give them space to grieve, breathe and express themselves during such a devastating time.

Managers should ensure that news staff can take a moment when they need it and are not left with the sole burden of being a voice for the Black community and local community. Put together a team, bring in experts and involve local citizens to help tell the story with balance, depth, and perspective.

Be mindful of how the footage, images and audio are used. Ensure when they are used it adds value to the story, is not used out of context, and is not creating unnecessary trauma for the audience and reporter. Be careful not to spread misinformation by requiring fact-checking and not allowing the reporting of hearsay.

A Call for Safety and Support 

As reports come in that law enforcement units across the nation are bracing for unrest and outcry related to the release of the footage, we urge news companies to ensure their staff is safe while in the field, have legal support, security, a buddy system, and know their rights as members of the press. Newsrooms must remember that Black reporters may not only face the normal challenges of navigating what is happening on the streets but also battle with fear that because of their race, they may be harassed, even arrested, by law enforcement while simply doing their jobs (just as we have seen in the past).

We extend our support to Black journalists, and all journalists worldwide, who are telling Tyre’s story with great courage and conviction. We encourage our members and colleagues to take advantage of the mental health resources we have available on our YouTube channel here. Remember to be proactive in requesting and utilizing resources from your companies and health plans. Be watchful and safe on the field.

Black Communities Will Bear The Brunt Of The Coronavirus Epidemic

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BY JEANETTE LENOIR

From Anacostia to the Marshall Heights neighborhood and beyond, some Washingtonians have to find new ways to stay safe, active and mindful of the deadly virus buckling governments in every corner of the world. It’s no secret African Americans will bear the brunt of the coronavirus illness and lead the death toll despite making up only 14 percent of America’s population. ProPublica, The New York Times and other publications are already documenting the number of people dying from the airborne disease by race and class, and according to preliminary findings, the numbers are not looking good for black people.

“As of Friday morning, African Americans made up almost half of Milwaukee County’s 945 cases and 81% of its 27 deaths in a county whose population is 26% black. Milwaukee is one of the few places in the United States that is tracking the racial breakdown of people who have been infected by the novel coronavirus, offering a glimpse at the disproportionate destruction it is inflicting on black communities nationwide. In Michigan, where the state’s population is 14% black, African Americans made up 35% of cases and 40% of deaths as of Friday morning. Detroit, where a majority of residents are black, has emerged as a hot spot with a high death toll. As has New Orleans. Louisiana has not published case breakdowns by race, but 40% of the state’s deaths have happened in Orleans Parish, where the majority of residents are black,” stated the report by Talia Buford who covers disparities in environmental impacts for ProPublica.

Although a handful of states are keeping track of the disease’s impact, according to ProPublica, the CDC is not keeping track of deaths and infections by race. Thankfully, other institutions like hospitals and city health officials are. While many are running to the aid of hospital workers and other essential employees in the thick of this global crisis, it remains to be seen who will help black communities survive COVID-19.