Avoiding Performative Activism this Black History Month

As we enter another Black History Month, we need to take a moment and reflect on our actions and intentions. While it’s crucial to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black individuals throughout history, it’s equally important to avoid performative activism.

What’s performative activism, you ask? It refers to publicly showcasing support for a social cause without genuinely engaging with the issue or making meaningful changes.

I like to believe we all have good intentions when we do things, but we need to think about how we fully support an issue long-term, not just for a day or, in this case, a month.

Understanding performative activism

Performative activism can take many forms, from posting superficial social media updates to participating in tokenistic events. It’s often characterized by a lack of depth, sincerity, and follow-through. Performative activists use buzzwords, hashtags, and trendy phrases to appear woke or informed, but their actions rarely translate to tangible change.

This type of activism can be damaging, as it:

1. Distracts from meaningful conversations: Performative activism can overshadow genuine discussions and efforts, making it seem like progress is being made when, in reality, little is being done.
2. Exploits marginalized communities: By using social justice issues as a marketing tool, performative activists can exploit marginalized communities for personal gain, attention, or social capital.
3. Undermines trust: When individuals or organizations are caught being performative, it can erode trust and credibility, making it harder for genuine allies to be taken seriously.

Performative activism gone wrong

The scavenger hunt incident

A notable example of performative activism gone wrong is the Region of Durham’s Black History Month scavenger hunt for employees. In 2021, the Region organized a scavenger hunt, including dancing to a Reggae song and having a conversation with a Black employee.

The event was widely criticized for being tone-deaf and performative, with many arguing that it reduced Black History Month to a trivial game. The backlash was swift, with many calling out the Region for its lack of understanding and sensitivity.

The NFL and Colin Kaepernick

Another example is the NFL’s handling of Colin Kaepernick’s protests during the national anthem. In 2016, Kaepernick, a Black NFL quarterback, knelt during the national anthem to protest police brutality and systemic racism. The NFL’s initial response was to condemn his actions, but later, they attempted to co-opt the movement by launching a social justice initiative. However, their effort was widely criticized for being performative, as the NFL failed to address the underlying issues and instead used the initiative as a marketing tool.

Doing it right: Authentic allyship

So, how can we avoid being performative this Black History Month?

1. Listen and learn: Take the time to educate yourself about the issues affecting Black communities. Listen to their stories, experiences and perspectives.
2. Amplify Black voices: Use your platform to amplify the work and voices of Black individuals and organizations. Avoid speaking over or for them.
3. Take action: Engage in meaningful actions that support Black communities, like volunteering, donating to relevant organizations or advocating for policy changes.
4. Be consistent: Allyship is not a one-time event; it’s an ongoing process. Consistently show up and support Black communities throughout the year, not just during Black History Month.
5. Be accountable: Recognize your own biases and privilege, and be willing to make mistakes. Apologize and learn from them rather than becoming defensive.

Examples of authentic allyship

A great example of authentic allyship is the work of the organization Color Of Change. Founded by James Rucker and Van Jones, Color Of Change is a racial justice organization that uses online activism to drive social change. They have been instrumental in campaigns like #JusticeForTrayvon and #BlackLivesMatter, and have worked tirelessly to hold corporations and institutions accountable for their actions.

Food for thought

As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s essential to remember that allyship is not a performance; it’s a process. We can create a more inclusive and equitable society by avoiding performative activism and engaging in authentic allyship. Let’s use this month as an opportunity to listen, learn, and take action. Make this month a pivotal one for change by amplifying Black voices, supporting Black communities, and working toward a future where everyone can thrive.

Resources

Here are a few resources, but I’d love to add more. Please feel free to email me at matisse@prandlattes.com to share others that can be added.

• Color of Change
• Players Coalition
• Black Lives Matter

As we move forward, it’s essential to recognize that Black History Month is not just a celebration of the past but also a call to action for the present and future. By engaging in authentic allyship and avoiding performative activism, we can create a more just and equitable society for all. Let’s make this Black History Month one to remember, not for our performative actions but for our genuine commitment to creating a better world for Black communities and beyond.