There’s a new movement on social media, “Blackout 2024,” in response to celebrities’ views (or lack thereof) on Palestine.
Context of the Blackout 2024 Movement
Let’s rewind to last week’s Met Gala to understand the campaign’s context. In a now-deleted video, influencer Haley Baylee (real name Haley Kalil) posed outside the event dressed in an extravagant floral gown and headpiece. She said, “Let them eat cake,” along with a TikTok sound.
Additionally, pictures of one of fashion’s biggest nights flooded social media at the same time as images of Israel’s attack on the Palestinian city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. The juxtaposition of celebrities dripping in wealth and Palestinian parents mourning their dead children shocked the world.
Comparisons to The Hunger Games
People compared The Hunger Games to The Hunger Games, where wealthy Capitol residents dressed in opulent clothing while children were murdered in the games. Some pointed out that the book’s idea came to author Suzanne Collins when she experienced something similar: flipping through TV channels between coverage of the Iraq War and contestants competing in a reality TV show.
Silence of the Celebrities
Student encampments and protests are taking place around the world, but many celebrities have remained silent on what’s happening in Gaza. Fed up with celebs failing to use their platforms and influence to speak out on behalf of Palestinians, TikTok user @ladyfromtheoutside decided to spark the Blackout 2024 movement, according to NBC News. “It’s time to block all the celebrities, influencers, and wealthy socialites who are not using their resources to help those in dire need,” she said in a video with 2.5 million views. “We gave them their platforms. It’s time to take it back, take our views away, our likes, our comments, our money.”
Impact of Blackout 2024
Unfollowing and blocking famous people and their companies prevents their ads from reaching those participating in the Blackout 2024 movement. With enough people boycotting celebs and their products, the goal is to potentially affect their ad revenue, business sales, engagement, and more. @ladyfromtheoutside is calling the movement a digitine (a digital guillotine).
Who Deserves to Be Blocked?
I’ve seen several lists floating around social media; some disagree on who deserves to be blocked. Folks will likely have their parameters, such as whether a celeb has spoken out against Palestinians, remained silent, not used their platform enough, etc. For example, some believe that Billie Eilish should be boycotted for not posting about Palestine on social media. In contrast, others argue that she wore a Ceasefire pin to the Oscars, clarifying her stance.
Celebrity Responses
In the past week, some celebrities have already spoken out. Haley Baylee posted a nearly nine-minute apology video in which she clarified that she didn’t receive an actual invitation to the Met; she was a host interviewing celebs as they departed a hotel. “I’m not elite. I’m a normal person,” she insisted. Haley also explained why she hasn’t spoken about Palestine: “I am not informed enough to talk about it in a meaningful and educational way.”
Days ago, Lizzo posted a TikTok video-sharing GoFundMe pages and an organization dedicated to helping people in Palestine, Sudan, and Congo. The singer said she has personally donated to all three and shared the links for those who want to donate.
Growing Impact
The campaign may already be starting to make an impact. Haley, who posted a video over her excitement at reaching 10 million followers, has dropped to 9.9 million. Social media users claim that Kim Kardashian has also lost several followers — a week after outrage over her responding, “Free everybody” to a protestor shouting, “Free Palestine.”
