VIRTUAL DAY OF ABSENCE
ABOUT
Virtual Day of Absence is an online social action in the tradition of Douglas Turner Ward's classic play. The aim is to raise awareness, start conversations, extend networks, and create solidarity around addressing the violent loss of Black lives to police brutality and social injustice in America. It takes place on Juneteenth, which is June 19, 2020.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
To participate in a Virtual Day of Absence you need to be absent from electronic communication platforms, most importantly email on June 19, 2020. Instead, use your email auto-reply or vacation message and copy-paste the below text. You can set up your auto-reply *right now* to be sent on 6/19/20 from 12:00am to 11:59pm.
COPY-PASTE THIS TEXT INTO YOUR EMAIL AUTO-REPLY/VACATION MESSAGE FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020:
"I am away from email today, for Juneteenth, in commemoration and protest of the outrageous number of Black lives lost to the excessive, brutal, and dehumanizing use of physical force by the police and the social subjugation of Black people in American institutions.
-- In Solidarity [Your Name]"
WHAT TO DO WHILE ABSENT
Use the time you'd otherwise be on email or other electronic communication platforms to:
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LEARN more about the history and continuing legacy of race, racial violence, and injustice in America. Here are some resources.
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REACH OUT to a family member, friend, neighbor or colleague to start a courageous conversation about racial violence and injustice in America.
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ADVOCATE with your local mayor, city council, state legislator, governor, U.S. congressperson, or senator to let them know you want action taken to stop racial violence and injustice in America. Two concrete examples are police reform and increased funding for public schools, especially in communities of color.
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DONATE to and find other ways of supporting existing organizations, from the NAACP to the Equal Justice Initiative to Black Lives Matter, dedicated to stopping racial violence and injustice in America.
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REFLECT on your own everyday opportunities to make choices, speak out, and take action to stop racial violence and injustice in America.
Upcoming Events
Fri, Jun 19Any E-Communication PlatformJun 19, 2020, 12:01 AM – 11:59 PMAny E-Communication Platform