Metal engages with the BLACK LIVES MATTER movement.
As the Black Lives Matter movement sought to create real change around the world, the rock world took a pause to reflect on how we can move things forward
“I CAN’T BREATHE.”
It was the video that provoked one of the single biggest protest movements in living memory, as people around the world united under the Black
Lives Matter banner in outrage at the senseless killing of George Floyd. More than that, though, it was also a protest against something deeper-set and wide-reaching: the institutionalised racism that remains at the very heart of society itself. It was a cause felt keenly across the globe; one of the movement’s most memorable moments came right here in the UK as a crowd in Bristol dismantled and disposed of a controversial statue of slave trader Edward Colston.
The music world’s response to the protests garnered particular attention, as Blackout Tuesday saw most of the industry shut down for the day on Tuesday June 2. The initiative, devised by Atlantic Records and Platoon executives, Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang, was designed to push the music business to take some time to reflect on its role in battling racism, and what needs to be done moving forwards.
“Tuesday June 2 is meant to intentionally disrupt the work week”, Jamila and Brianna released in an online statement. “It is a day to take a beat for an honest, reflective and productive conversation about what actions we need to collectively take to support the Black community.
We are and will be in this fight for the long haul. A plan of action will be announced.”
The idea was adopted right across the rock industry. Heavyweight promoter Live Nation, who produce the UK’S biggest rock festival in Download, prompted us to “come together against all forms of racism, bigotry and violence. Now, more than ever we must use our voices to speak up and challenge the injustices around us.” Veteran rock label Roadrunner noted that “now is the time to educate yourself, others around you, share resources, donate and support all the organisations fighting for change”. 5b management, the collective behind the likes of Slipknot, Trivium and Lamb Of God, quoted South African activist Desmond Tutu: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
METAL HAMMER AND our sister brands including Classic Rock, Prog and Louder also all took part in Blackout Tuesday, noting in a joint statement: “As members of the rock community, we pride ourselves on being open and welcoming. For that to mean something, we need to make sure we’re standing with everyone our scenes represent, offering support to those who need it when it matters. It matters now. We know going quiet for a day isn’t enough. Change needs to follow, and we are holding ourselves accountable in being part of that change. We will spend the day focusing on how to make that change meaningful and long-lasting, and how to best support black communities, including our friends, our colleagues and the artists we love.”
Many metal bands and artists stood up and took immediate action. The likes of Beartooth, Svalbard, Venom Prison, Loathe and This Is Hell released new merchandise to raise money for
“RACISM IS STILL A MASSIVE ISSUE”
charities and fundraisers tied into the Black Lives Matter movement. Many more would partake in Blackout Tuesday and voice their support.
“If you are white and have been sitting on the sidelines of this situation, we need you to stand up,” wrote Avenged Sevenfold frontman M Shadows in an impassioned opinion piece for US magazine, Revolver. “We stand against racism”, stated Beartooth. “We stand for human rights. We stand with peaceful protesters. We stand with the entire black community in the fight against systematic oppression.” “In these uncertain times, we thought the world would be a safer place with everyone coming together”, said Skindred. “It seems this is not the case as racism is still a massive issue. Rest in power, George Floyd.” “The hard reality is, in the eyes, hearts, minds and chains of this society, we are not equal,” offered Parkway Drive. “It is a truth that runs counter to our dreams, our hopes, our identity and our narrative. It is a truth that is uncomfortable to confront and consider, but we must.”
So what comes next? As Metal Hammer went to press, the protests were still ongoing the world over, but it’s clearer now than ever that what is needed is a fundamental societal shift. For metal, that means confronting the issues of racism that remain in our own scene, and everyone in our scene asking ourselves a very simple question: what can we do better?
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT, HEAD TO WWW.BLACKLIVESMATTER.COM