On July 7, 2020, T.I wants to stage a boycott following the death of Black people like Ahmaud Arbery in Glynn County, Georgia, and George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the hands of white men.
T.I, who is the founder of Grand Hustle, explained that he wants all non-whites to participate in the boycott, not just Black people. He further stated the economic impact he thinks that will have.
“This is a call to action,” T.I wrote in his message posted on Thursday, May 28. “We need one day of solidarity in America when not one Black person in America spends a dollar. This includes African, Native Americans, Asian-Americans, Hispanics…All people of color. Together we have $3.9 trillion dollars in economic spending power. That’s $10,684,931,506.80. It’s going to cost per day next time a person of color gets shot. We will call it.”
Meanwhile, his call to action seems to borrow deeply from a campaign that appears to have begun with a post on the YouTube channel called CalvinMartyrTV. Previously, the host shared a video titled #BLACKOUTDAY2020 on May 8. The title notes bear the same wording as found in Tip’s post from 20 days later.
In the caption of his post, T.I wrote, “Nobody spends S–T on this day‼️
IF you Give AF about the murders, lynchings, & oppression of people of color!!! #USorELSE✊🏽#BlackoutDay2020#July7th.”
Last year, T.I had equally voiced out after Gucci released it’s Balaclava sweater that many judged to look like blackface. Later on, the high-end fashion brand apologized, but Tips said that wasn’t enough.
“We (People of color) spend $1.25 TRILLION/year (but are the least respected and the least included … I Don’t Give a F–k if I gotta wear Target brand s–t…. #F–kGucci,” he wrote on Instagram.
Back in 2016, the rap icon released a six-song EP called “Us or Else,” where he addressed police brutality and other injustices Black people encounter. At that time, he said in an interview with Hot 97 that it would be irresponsible for him to rap about “throwing money in the club.”
Beneath his July 7 boycott post, masses turned out to support him and assured him they won’t spend any money on that day.
“Call it out, and it’s done. I’m wit all action! #blackoutday2020,” one supporter wrote. Others, meanwhile, added that the boycott should even be more than just one day.
“One day won’t hurt them,” one person wrote. “Not when we’ve been spending money every day for decades. There needs to be an entire lifestyle change where we dedicate ourselves and our money to Black-owned businesses. I don’t do my part nearly enough, so I’m guilty too. But we need to make a permanent change that extends beyond one day.”
Many celebrities have called out for the masses to support the justice for Floyd petition, including Beyonce.
