Jason (jaybird)

Late february/Early March gave us the very first #Blackout. Awesome right? Here’s  how that got started: expect-the-greatest made a post and recklessthottie​ answered it. He said black tumblr should have a selfie day, she suggested calling it the Blackout and they went from there:

You’ll notice that recklessthottie is a saved url that points you in my direction. That’s because that is my old url (more on why I changed in a bit). So we get to work getting the idea to spread and T’von ( @expect-the-greatest) even made this post to follow up:

Once the plan got big enough whatwhiteswillneverknow​ got wind of it and made graphics for other social media platforms and a masterpost with information. Here’s where the story really gets good. The idea picked up steam but nukirk​ the moderator over at whatwhiteswillneverknow​, did not know that I was supposed to be credited for being a co-creator so I was left out of the masterpost and all conversations. I had to go ask him to credit me and even then, had to prove myself by showing him what I’ve showed you all so far.

When the day got REALLY big on March 6th and we started getting media attention, guess what happened. You guessed it! I was completely minimized while my co-creators were given their due. They also didn’t mention me  while they got interview offers. It got to the point where I had to basically ghost write and give pointers on what to do and say and how to explain the project (@whatwhiteswillneverknow can confirm. They’ve since apologized).  In fact, the only REAL mention of me or credit I was given that first #BlackoutDay was to have my old url made fun of by a YouTube personality (he  only mentioned me, the misogynior was real) and to have my photos taken and used in his video without my permission. YIKES.

So that stung, but I continued to work to keep this thing going because I believe in what it can be. Month after month, putting things in place and orchestrating partnerships and promotions so that #Blackout and #BlackoutDay would continue to be successful and grow outside of Tumblr. Paying attention to how we could make this better for all of you. Answering mail on our blog (seriously, go look at theblackoutofficial and realize who appears most active). Getting heat from other parts of Tumblr and Neo-Nazis and white supremacists. I worked even after someone told me “no one will take you seriously as a woman”. I worked and networked, even when expect-the-greatest​ was inactive.  In fact, he’s been open about this:

 This isn’t my first time trying to tell Tumblr the truth. 

I have spoken about this previously and about how Tumblr has harassed me or minimized me through these months and how it’s made my role difficult.  What is my role? Pulled straight from our website:

 I am working very, very hard. I have put money into getting a website and making us legitimate. And for what? To have people constantly questioning me? Running into inboxes on anon and being rude about me to my co-creators? I am fed up with the bullshit I have had to deal with and keep quiet about because I was afraid of more harassment.

Black Tumblr, I am a black woman that has been there the ENTIRE time working to give you something you enjoy so AT LEAST do me the favor of giving me my credit and stop harassing me and my co-creators as if I suddenly showed up to a party I wasn’t invited to.

Following a growing trend, the city council of Albuquerque, New Mexico has voted six to three to recognize October 12th – typically known to most as “Columbus Day” within the USA– as Indigenous Peoples’ day in a new proclamation. Albuquerque has the highest concentration of Indigenous people in New Mexico.

In the past two months, eight cities got rid of Columbus Day in favor of adopting Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Three of those cities adopted Indigenous Peoples’ Day this week.

Albuquerque, New Mexico – The city’s formal declaration”encourages businesses, organizations and public entities to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day, which shall be used to reflect upon the ongoing struggles of Indigenous people on this land, and to celebrate the thriving culture and value that our Indigenous nations add to our City.”

Lawrence, KS – Since September, students from Haskell University in Lawrence, Kansas have been taking initiative and pushing for the city to honor their ancestors by declaring October 12th Indigenous Peoples’ day. Just this Wednesday, they won.

Portland, OR – Portland’s City Council declared Indigenous Peoples’ day on Tuesday, something tribal leaders have been seeking since 1954.

St. Paul, MN – In August, St. Paul followed Minneapolis by declaring Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day. Minneapolis passed its own resolution last year.

Bexar County, TX – The resolution was passed Tuesday, and local activists intend to press for the same thing in San Antonio.

Anadarko, OK – In September, Anadarko declared Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Anadarko Mayor Kyle Eastwood signed the proclamation while surrounded by tribal leaders from the Apache, Choctaw, Delaware, Wichita and others.

Olympia, WA – Mayor Pro Tem Nathaniel Jones presented Olympia’s proclamation at a rally in August. Nearly 150 people showed up to support the initiative.

Alpena, MI – In September, Mayor Matt Waligora declared Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The city says they desire “to develop a strong and productive relationship with all indigenous peoples, including the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, based on mutual respect and trust.”

These cities are following in the footsteps of Seattle and Minneapolis. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City came close to passing it in September and will try to pass it again on October 13th, the day after the holiday.

City Council Member Rey Garduño wrote and proposed the proclamation, with guidance from local activists. The campaign was initiated last year during an “Abolish Columbus Day” demonstration at City Hall.

Although these changes have been quite recent, the struggle for the recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day has been going on since 1954, when the idea was first proposed in Portland, OR.

The Albuquerque Police Department have a notorious record of harassing and killing oppressed people. Their law enforcement divisions have shot 50 people resulting in 28 fatalities since 2010. In Albuquerque, Indigenous people compose 4.6 of the city’s population, but 13% of its consistently homeless population.