Late february/Early March gave us the very first #Blackout. Awesome right? Here’s how that got started: expect-the-greatest made a post and recklessthottie answered it. He said black tumblr should have a selfie day, she suggested calling it the Blackout and they went from there:
You’ll notice that recklessthottie is a saved url that points you in my direction. That’s because that is my old url (more on why I changed in a bit). So we get to work getting the idea to spread and T’von ( @expect-the-greatest) even made this post to follow up:
Once the plan got big enough whatwhiteswillneverknow got wind of it and made graphics for other social media platforms and a masterpost with information. Here’s where the story really gets good. The idea picked up steam but nukirk the moderator over at whatwhiteswillneverknow, did not know that I was supposed to be credited for being a co-creator so I was left out of the masterpost and all conversations. I had to go ask him to credit me and even then, had to prove myself by showing him what I’ve showed you all so far.
When the day got REALLY big on March 6th and we started getting media attention, guess what happened. You guessed it! I was completely minimized while my co-creators were given their due. They also didn’t mention me while they got interview offers. It got to the point where I had to basically ghost write and give pointers on what to do and say and how to explain the project (@whatwhiteswillneverknow can confirm. They’ve since apologized). In fact, the only REAL mention of me or credit I was given that first #BlackoutDay was to have my old url made fun of by a YouTube personality (he only mentioned me, the misogynior was real) and to have my photos taken and used in his video without my permission.YIKES.
So that stung, but I continued to work to keep this thing going because I believe in what it can be. Month after month, putting things in place and orchestrating partnerships and promotions so that #Blackout and #BlackoutDay would continue to be successful and grow outside of Tumblr. Paying attention to how we could make this better for all of you. Answering mail on our blog (seriously, go look at theblackoutofficialand realize who appears most active). Getting heat from other parts of Tumblr and Neo-Nazis and white supremacists. I worked even after someone told me “no one will take you seriously as a woman”. I worked and networked, even when expect-the-greatest was inactive. In fact, he’s been open about this:
This isn’t my first time trying to tell Tumblr the truth.
I am working very, very hard. I have put money into getting a website and making us legitimate. And for what? To have people constantly questioning me? Running into inboxes on anon and being rude about me to my co-creators? I am fed up with the bullshit I have had to deal with and keep quiet about because I was afraid of more harassment.
Black Tumblr, I am a black woman that has been there the ENTIRE time working to give you something you enjoy so AT LEAST do me the favor of giving me my credit and stop harassing me and my co-creators as if I suddenly showed up to a party I wasn’t invited to.
READ AND REBLOG PLEASE.
go offf
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I’m almost in tears. I am so proud of you for speaking up for yourself sis.
