On March 6 and 7, #BlackOutDay pretty much broke the Internet. Well, maybe not the whole internet, but definitely Tumblr and Twitter. Created by Tumblr users Y.R.N and nukirk, the objective was to change the narrative around black beauty and culture.
In a show of community and solidarity, for … 24 hours, we are exclusively posting and reblogging pics, gifs, videos, selfies, etc. of Black people. We want to show that Black History is happening today, right now. That we are all Black History.
Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook and Instagram users were encouraged to share selfies, videos and gifs of themselves and others with the hashtag #BlackOutDay.
Take a look at some of our favorite posts from that day:
1. Important cultural information was shared. The Girl Scouts organization stood in solidarity of #BlackOutDay by coming through with a powerful historical photo.
#FlashbackFriday to a historic day in our Movement. The first Black Girl Scout Troop. #BlackoutDay pic.twitter.com/CxaA1eL1BK
— Girl Scouts (@girlscouts) March 6, 2015
2. Saheela Ibraheem, who was accepted to Harvard University at age 15, has been dubbed on of the world’s smartest teens.
Saheela Ibraheem — 15 year old admitted to Harvard. One of “50 Smartest Teens in the US.”
#BlackOutDay pic.twitter.com/jGIL8QjyQt
— Khaled Bey (@KhaledBeydoun) March 7, 2015
3. This Ethiopian beauty shows off a gorgeous traditional style.
My little cousin flourishing in traditional Tigray clothing ?. #Ethiopia #BlackOutDay pic.twitter.com/jiPzwVsfru
— Max Power (@JonAsfaw13) March 6, 2015
4. And this adorable girl was a favorite…
OMG this precious little Muslima is your neice?! RT @krennylavitz: My niece #BlackOutDay pic.twitter.com/vExhQ9k9GL
— DarkSkintDostoyevsky (@daniecal) March 7, 2015
5. Some used the opportunity to highlight unconventional beauty, like this cutie with vitiligo.
#BlackOutDay All the cuteness ???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/8oKWmymjp7
— Black Girls (@BlackGirlsWinni) March 7, 2015
6. And these sisters, one of whom has albinism…
My albino sister ???? #BlackOutDay pic.twitter.com/ahY7XY4aWu
— JayFlossy (@STYLECORP_) March 7, 2015
7. Or this lady, with gorgeous freckles…
when I was feeling like black barbie
???? #blackout #blackoutday ???? pic.twitter.com/SDOFzfRMYn
— salem (@salemmitchell) March 7, 2015
8. Some pictures were simply about ‘stuntin’ and slaying.. Like these
Please look at these pictures next time you have something negative to say about black women #BlackOutDay pic.twitter.com/8gA2gAsqTN
— leenuh (@Slurpee_Goddess) March 7, 2015
9. And these…
#BlackOutDay BLACK ALL OVER ?????????????? pic.twitter.com/1EWLh8AvQ3
— Black Girls (@BlackGirlsWinni) March 7, 2015
even horrible lighting can’t stop this melanin. #BlackOutDay pic.twitter.com/Wzn1gSibYC
— M. (@_MTil) March 6, 2015
10. And these… #werk
Had to pinch myself twice and make sure I’m not gay. ????????????????????????????? #BlackOutDay pic.twitter.com/aUq32Y5px4
— Black Girls (@BlackGirlsWinni) March 7, 2015
11. #BlackOutDay was an opportunity to affirm our girls. Like this young lady who is teased at school simply for being black…
My sister was being bullied in one of her class by 2 boys cause she is black. So I want to do a #BlackOutDay for her. pic.twitter.com/mSyoFqpZbW
— BIG PAPA (@chrxstophxr) March 7, 2015
12. We were reminded that black truly does not crack… This man is 100 years old!!
Black Don’t Crack Exhibit A. He’s my grandfather. He’s 100yo. And he’s ready to date again. #BlackOutDay pic.twitter.com/zMGs6b1Ns5
— mackenzian (@mackenzian) March 7, 2015
13. Celebrities got in on it. Actor Orlando Jones was feeling emotional…
Black Tumblr got me like… #BlackOutDay pic.twitter.com/z2dhoTg2EF — Orlando Jones (@TheOrlandoJones) March 6, 2015
He even tweeted out a photo of him and his Dad! Awww!
Me & my pops #BlackOutDay pic.twitter.com/jWKh4fpLXA — Orlando Jones (@TheOrlandoJones) March 6, 2015
14. Actress Zendaya Coleman rocked a dashiki with pride
#blackoutday #weareallbeautiful ???? A photo posted by Zendaya (@zendaya) on
15. Funny lady Jackee gave us a real nice flashback post. Is that the 227 set we see?
#BlackOutDay pic.twitter.com/NzH0I5jcyC — Jackée Harry (@JackeeHarry) March 6, 2015
16. Understandably the day brought attention, and questions, from people of other races. They were reminded why movements like this are important…
in case you were wondering why white people need to stop complaining about #BlackOutDay pic.twitter.com/35HJTj4Xvd
— Rose Glenn (@rosewiththorns3) March 6, 2015
What did you think of #BlackOutDay? Did you participate? Share some of your favorite #BlackOutDay posts with us below!
I actually did I’m 17 & have a tumblr so I first heard about it on black tumblrs first attempt for the black out ( March 1st ) but it was late notice so we changed it. Now the big problem is other POC being upset about us “thinking we are better”. I do not think I’m better because I’m black. But I do know I’m a young black queen & I’m not about to downgrade myself because they are intimidated because blacks were able to get together & TRENDSET like we always do. It was great seeing all the… Read more »
I’m hoping that other POC will start their own movement.
i wasnt aware of it probably because i’m not on twitter; but these posts are quite inspirational.
It is a really empowering thing for black women and men to come together. We need this really after all that has been happening in the current events the past several months. It goes to show you we can band together to do anything.
That’s what I’m talkin’ about!
Dashiki’s are gonna get pretty popular over summer now eh? :p
Ahhh, I’m crying. This was so epic, so sad I missed it. But from what I’ve seen it was beautiful. *can’t stop crying*
African people are amazing! 🙂