About Us
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General Information
General Information on the proposed blackout:
Over 200 BILLION DOLLARS is spent between November 1st-December 1st. We see much of this shopping, as women in the days that follow Thanksgiving. Black Friday is known for spending and deals. But spending can't erase the fact that women make up 50.5% of the US population, and our rights are being stripped away. So, money speaks. Let's use this week (November 25-December 2) to hold a Blackout. The blackout will consist of many ways to participate/ protest/ boycott/ support/ be heard/ be seen/ and make change. So, join me. Join us. Join women. The blackout will only end for those who believe equal rights are human rights.
The ideas I've heard thrown around in the past miss a few key components.
1. Make sure all women can participate in ways that still support their families (many moms are single moms, so protesting isn't always a possibility)
2. Hit them where it hurts (the wallet). Companies look at spending trends for years to anticipate spending for this coming year. WE can make an impact by refusing to shop for this Blackout week (which will make a dent) while also asking men who support us to also not shop this week (Men are just as likely to participate in Black Friday shopping ( statistically speaking) and spend almost $200 per person more. Men tend to shop for themselves, and women shop for others and home goods (Adobe DIgital Insights). So, we tell me to support us, they help the Blackout have impact.
WE WILL NOT BE PURCHASING ANYTHING DURING THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 25-DECEMBER 2nd (As much as humanly possible) unless these companies are both women owned and supporting or have proven that they care about human rights and those include women. This is a great time to support companies who have already stood and taken the hard line of "women should control what happens with their own bodies". We will support them. The economic instability already has analysts freaking. If we could upset the apple cart more, we should . The blackout ends with companies who prove that they support women or who begin to show change.
3. Visibility: In the past, if people weren't where the protests were, they didn't see it. The ignorance is bliss. We will wear all black for the week, in solidarity with yellow ribbon or representation of womens' suffrage. Being in black in public, where all can see will lead to good conversations with children and adults about the often invisible role women play in our society.
4.Sex strike: This is the one husbands and partners won't like, but hear me out. It's not just a punishment. It's a sacrifice. It's about women standing in solidarity and removing ourselves from that role, even from the good men, which in turn puts direct pressure on the men unwilling to change. The blackout (sex strike) ends on December 2nd for men who support and have supported women. See it as a sacrifice versus a strike if you need to. I married a good one. He will understand. If you need context into how this has been explored in the past, ready Lysistrata. A Greek myth that focuses in on a sex strike that ends war and spending that was leading to the downfall of Greek society.
5. Minimal involvement with the family/chores/ etc: Removing ourselves from daily life (as much as humanly possible) will help even those we love, who support us, and acknowledge the fight, just how important our role is. Do minimal. Do nothing house related. Yes, mess will happen. It's not time to let your OCD win. (I Have OCD!) It's about impact. And sometimes that comes by way of performance. Pretend. Pretend maybe you were the type of parent many of us had. Be invisible.
6. Flood social media with content that highlights the role we as women play.
This nation was born. And then it was stolen by men. Nothing is born without women. Especially change. WE CAN DO THIS!
How can I participate?
1. Announce you are taking part in the blackout (November 25-December 2nd)
2. No shopping this week (unless woman owned companies or companies who have previously come out in support on women's rights. Blackout ends after 12/2 for companies who change their support)
3. Sex strike (in solidarity with all women) we'll be abstaining from sexual activity for this week. Men, in solidarity will put more pressure on the men unwilling to change. Not as a punishment response. But in support of women. The blackout strike ends only with men who support our rights after 12/2
4. Ware black wherever you go. The problem with movements is if people don't see you standing up for change they can ignore it. "Don't drive into the city today. Protests are happening". The physical space everywhere we go becomes the protest. Wear black to mourn the loss of women. WE WILL NOT BE PARTICIPATING OR HELPING SOCIETY UNLESS AND UNTIL OUR RIGHTS ARE RETURNED TO US)
5. Limit "Invisible work" women do (WOMEN TAKE ON AN EXTRA 3/4 HOURS OF UNPAID WORK DONE in the home
6. Create content about women's rights in America, and how we won't stop
You can participate in one or all of the ways described above. But it's important that all women, regardless of your living or work situation feel invited and important in this movement. We need each other. So, let's work together to spread the word and shut shit down.
Friday Blackout 2022
November 25-December 2nd 2022
Companies owned by women now listed
As mentioned previously, our shopping patterns matter, and big companies expend and depend on us to spend on certain things and in certain ways. We can make an impact not just by boycotting companies who support/ donate to/ fund anti-abortion groups but also by targeting our shopping and shifting ours spending habits to give less to those who don't support women. I'd rather give my business to women owned businesses who also support human rights and bodily autonomy. Sending business to women (and also highlighting businesses owned by women of color) further empowers women. It also shows companies that their decisions matter and if we've learned anything from my children's generation (Gen Z), it's that you can cause quite a stir from home and actually change policy and your country. We need to start thinking outside of the box. This is just one way.
Please check out the list of businesses currently in development.