John,
For many of us, the holiday sale season rush begins on Black Friday. But this year is different. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are dealing with the devastation of having a loved one lost to COVID-19. Millions are suffering from unemployment or the stress of having a family member locked in a prison cell with increased exposure to this deadly virus.
This year, it’s crucial that we do everything we can to ensure Black families are getting their needs met — not only during this holiday season but also in the weeks and months to come.
That’s why you’re getting this message, John. We know you’ve supported our work in the past, thank you for everything you've done to help us get this far. In our work, it's not enough to just imagine a world in which Black people are free from exploitation and free to gather safely this year to enjoy the holiday season, we must actually do the work to get us there. But we can't do it without your help.
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Yes, I want to join the fight this Black Friday
Why are we sending you this message on Black Friday? Well,John, I’m going to be honest: Black Friday is traditionally a consumer-holiday in which Black people are the most exploited.
In the past, American shoppers have dropped a staggering $87 billion on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. And most of that money goes into the hands of corporations that do more harm than good in Black communities. In 2018, protesters boycotted Target in Chicago’s Black communities on Black Friday because the company closed almost all of its stores in predominantly Black neighborhoods, and instead, opened stores in predominantly wealthy, white neighborhoods. As a result, Black families were left without access to job opportunities and many of their daily needs. More often than not, these same corporations will take money out of Black communities, all while pandering to us on consumer holidays like Black Friday. That has to stop.
Black Friday has a human cost that disproportionately impacts Black people. While many of us are privileged to sit at home and take advantage of the holiday deals, thousands of retail, warehouse, and delivery workers are literally being exploited and overworked, and an increased risk of contracting COVID-19.
And it’s no surprise that the retailers who dominate in sales and profits — stores like Walmart, Target, and Amazon — are the first ones to overwork and underpay their employees. Not only are Black people more likely to be working in these conditions, but we’re also more likely to have our communities destroyed and dismantled by the predatory nature of capitalism that Black Friday perpetuates.
John, join us to fight back against the exploitation of Black Friday on Black communities, by joining us. We’re working to put an end to a system that oppresses us and instead invest that money into giving our people the tools they need to thrive.
Until justice is real,
--Scott, Rashad, Arisha, Erika, Malachi, Madison, Ernie, McKayla, Ana, Ariel, Ericka, and the rest of the Color Of Change team
ColorOfChange is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change.
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