Both the Grammy and Emmy sites urged visitors to support Color of Change and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
The lead stories at the sites tied to the Grammy Awards and the Emmy Awards on Tuesday (June 2) didn’t have anything to with awards or nominations, but with social justice.
Visitors to www.Grammy.com were greeted with this announcement, set against a stark black background: “The Recording Academy stands with our members, colleagues, creators and the entire music community as we observe ‘Black Out Tuesday’ on June 2. We will use this day to reflect, as we know we can all be better…do better.
“We recognize and embrace the responsibility that we all have in the fight against racial injustice. The Academy will join our colleagues in the music industry to make our voices heard as we commit to the long-term work required to drive positive change.”
The Recording Academy also suggested specific ways to take action. Among them: “Text FLOYD to 55156 to sign the Justice for George Floyd petition. Add your name to the Justice for George Floyd petition at www.change.org. Give to the Official George Floyd Memorial Fund. Donate to organizations like Color of Change, Minnesota Freedom Fund. Black Lives Matter, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and Until Freedom.”
Visitors to www.Emmys.com were greeted with the hashtag #Blackout Tuesday, also against a striking black background. That link opened to the headline “Black Lives Matter. Black Stories Matter” and this copy: “The Television Academy will continue to foster content that informs, educates, and prompts meaningful dialogue and change. We are a community of storytellers, and we stand in solidarity against racism and social injustice.”
The Emmy site also had a list of specific ways to take action and show support, complete with links. Among them: “Take Action: A List of Ways You Can Stand in Solidarity with the Black Community,” “A List of Resources for Supporting the Black Lives Matter Movement,” “A Detailed List of Anti-Racism Resources – Wake-Up Call,” and “Guidelines for Being Strong White Allies.”
It also listed organizations that work to advance social justice, including two that were on the Grammy list, Color of Change and NAACP Legal Defense Fund, plus National Action Network, National Urban League, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and Equal Justice Initiative.
The Hollywood Foreign Press’ website, www.goldenglobes.com, didn’t have a detailed list, but it did have this headline on its homepage: “The HFPA Stands With Blackout Tuesday.”
www.MTV.com carried this legend at the top of its homepage: “Black Lives Matter. Black Culture Matters. Black Communities Matter.” Below, it said: “Join @Colorofchange and countless others to call on public officials across the country to take real action. Text DEMANDS to 55156.”
