Blackout Day: An Out-of-the-Ordinary True Story

By Rev. Dr. Aliah MaJon
 

As a Black woman, I immediately understand what “Blackout Day” is all about. Most people have heard the saying “money talks,” so it’s easy to grok that the stated purpose of this day, which happens on July 7, 2020, is to send a crystal-clear message about the power of economics to command attention.

And, more to the point, Blackout Day is about the economic contribution and actual buying power of Black people and other People of Color, which was estimated to be around $14.8 trillion dollars nationally as presented in The University of Georgia’s annual report in 2018.

In other words, if Black people and fellow People of Color stop spending money — even if only for one day –— it will surely be noticed. The other significant part of Blackout Day is to only buy from Black-owned businesses that day.

Since there is a growing collective desire to reverse the disenfranchisement of African American folks in this country, a very important thing to do, beyond the outpouring of solidarity and the sincere and almost tireless multicultural protests, is to focus on the power of money.

On one hand, Blackout Day is a call for Black people and other People of Color to NOT spend any money on July 7, and on the other hand the invitation is for ALL people to support Black-owned businesses, whether brick and mortar or online.

But, the concept of Blackout Day as a significant opportunity for action and solidarity is not what I wish to write about… Instead, I would like to share an “out of the ordinary” true story about my family that I feel is most definitely related to Blackout Day — especially in my own psyche.

So, to begin, let me say that this story about my family has stayed with me since I was a child, and that this story will represent how my mother’s family stood for and consistently embodied Blackout Day long before our current times.

It is my pleasure to tell you about my maternal grandfather, whom we called Pap or Grandpa Ben. When I think about him now, I realize that he was an entrepreneur, although I’m sure he never heard of that word, not even once, since he was born at the turn of the 20th century and lived as a simple man who only used simple language. I will also share that my grandfather really didn’t talk to me that much in a conversational style, what I learned from him was mostly through my observation of his ways and his short loving answers to my childhood questions.

When he was younger, he had been a farmer and he owned the land that our family raised crops on. However, aside from farming, my Grandpa Ben always “sold things.” One of the things that he sold often gives people a chuckle when they hear what it is. My grandfather was known as the best moonshine maker in the whole state of Alabama, and all kinds of people, White folks included, came from far and wide to buy his “white lightning.” You could say that he was renowned in this area of making liquid happiness — what the old folks sometimes called spirits — but that’s not all that my grandfather was known for!   

My grandfather sold other things… I started visiting him each summer after my grandmother passed away in the 60s, and I used to marvel at the fact that my grandfather’s house was a makeshift candy store and “gathering place.”

A large number of the people in his rural community, those who didn’t own their own farms, worked in the fields daily tending to crops on farms owned by White families. When they got paid after their work day, they came to buy candy and soda and little bags of peanuts and potato chips, as well as cigars — and for the adults, at least once a week, and sometimes more, they quietly bought my grandfather’s moonshine.

And, here’s an aside that’s about me as a little girl, one that makes me laugh out loud as I think about it. One day I decided to join those day workers; I was curious about working in the fields and lonesome for the company of people my age, so I hopped on the back of a pick-up truck with my cousins and local friends to pick beans. It was grueling and backbreaking and hot, and I didn’t do very well. Workers were paid a pittance for their yield, and my yield was far below average — that’s what happens when you’re a city girl!

Anyway, what does all this have to do with Blackout Day? Here’s a few details that will illustrate my point about the role that money and business plays in Black lives:

1. Some of the White families who hired field hands also owned stores, and as a rule they stopped by their stores after they paid people — this set up a situation where the money just made from working all day was swiftly given back in purchases.

2. There were no Black-owned stores at that time in the area, and after a hard and sweaty day’s work, when people were literally in need of a cold drink and a treat, many workers had no choice but to give back the money they had just made to their employers.

3. My grandfather provided an option for this situation... He sold all the good stuff that people wanted to buy to reward themselves — Black people and other people as well — and, therefore, his entrepreneurship constituted a Black-owned business that was supported by his neighbors, friends, and relatives... as well as strangers, who often became new friends. 

4. Inadvertently, the White people from the area were very happy to generously “support” my grandfather’s business, as he definitely had what they wanted, and they always enjoyed his loved and sought-after moonshine! The White neighbors frequented his so-called store as often as possible!!  

Now, what do the things cited above add up to regarding the point of my story? Several key things that I feel are most definitely related to Blackout Day:  

a) My grandfather ran a Black-owned business that thrived year after year.

b) His home, where he ran this business, served as a welcoming and friendly place for people to gather and socialize.

c) This gathering place was nurturing and uplifting and, most certainly, a space where you could be yourself.

d) My grandfather helped to “build bridges” across the racial divide of the south because his home had multi-racial visitors.

e) Other Black people later on were inspired to open Black-owned stores nearby and the tradition of “Buying Black” continued.

f) White people found themselves showing great respect to a Black man’s talents and, in particular, to his fine product.

g) Our family enjoyed acceptance and a certain level of safety due to that respect shown to my grandfather.

h) Me coming from such a family, with this background and experiences, helps me to build bridges too.

i) I’m aware of why Blackout Day is important to our healing deep within me — for both Black and White people — and I am inspired to act to bring forth a brighter future for us all, business matters included  

j) And, lastly, I would like you to not only join me today, on Blackout Day, July 7, 2020, but every day from this day forward as we build a new future — together — supporting all of us to thrive!    

Dr. Aliah K. MaJon is known for her astounding work with people who are facing a future-defining crossroads, the devastation of loss, and other major life situations. She believes that one of the greatest hindrances to the success of disenfranchised populations in the United States is our country’s history of the racial divide.

She is committed to harnessing her decades of experience addressing bias and inequality as a diversity trainer, consultant, United Nations delegate, and the organizer of a National Conversation of Race Project, which inspired her to launch The Next 50 Years Project to teach cultural intelligence and to consciously pioneer tools that build bridges across human differences.

Dr. Aliah’s core message is “Our Destiny Is About Our Collective Evolution.” She's also known for her groundbreaking methodology called SOUL TECHNOLOGY®, in which she introduces people to the other half of their intelligence and demystifies inner knowing. With a comprehensive and inspirational approach, she helps both youth and adults excel through her expertise in the areas of transpersonal psychology and personal growth, combined with her extensive experience as a group facilitator and coaching professional.