A new movement called “Blockout 2024” has sprung up on social media in response to prominent figures' opinions (or lack thereof) on Palestine.
To put the campaign in context, let's look back to last week's Met Gala: In a now-deleted video, influencer Hailey Bailey (whose real name is Hailey Kalil) posed outside the venue in a flamboyant floral gown and headpiece, as she uttered “Let them eat cake” over the sound of a TikTok.
Additionally, at the same time that photos from fashion's biggest event flooded social media, footage was released of Israeli attacks on the Palestinian city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, shocking the world with the contrast between the wealthy celebrities and Palestinian parents mourning the loss of their children.
People Made Comparison To of hunger gameIn “The Game,” wealthy Capitol dwellers dressed in lavish clothing while children were being killed in a game. Some have pointed out that author Suzanne Collins got the idea for the book from a similar experience she had herself, flipping the channels on her TV between coverage of the Iraq War and contestants competing on a reality TV show.
While student camps and protests are taking place all over the world, many prominent figures remain silent about what is happening in Gaza.
TikTok user @ladyfromtheoutside decided to start the Block Out 2024 movement because she was tired of celebrities not using their platform and influence to speak out, according to NBC News. “It's time to block celebrities, influencers and wealthy socialites who aren't using their resources to help those in need,” she said in a video that has been viewed 2.5 million times. “We gave them a platform, it's time to take it back and take our views, likes, comments and money.”
Unfollowing or blocking celebrities or their companies will prevent them from reaching participants in the Blockout 2024 movement. The goal is that if enough people boycott celebrities and their products, it will impact their advertising revenue, business sales, engagement, and more. @ladyfromtheoutside calls the movement Digitane (Digital Guillotine).
I have several different list There are various posts on social media, and opinions seem to be divided on who should and shouldn't be blocked. Everyone has their own criteria for whether a celebrity is speaking out for Palestinians, whether they're silent, or whether they're not using their platform enough. For example, some people think Billie Eilish should be boycotted because she hasn't posted about Palestine on social media, while others argue that she made her position clear by wearing a ceasefire pin to the Oscars.
Several celebrities have already spoken out in the last week. Hailey Bailey posted a nearly nine-minute apology video, clarifying that she was not actually invited to the Met, but was a host interviewing celebrities as they left the hotel. “I'm not an elite. I'm a normal person,” she insisted. Hailey also explained that the reason she didn't speak out about Palestine was because she “doesn't know enough about Palestine to talk about it in a meaningful and educational way.”
Three days ago, Lizzo posted a TikTok video highlighting GoFundMe pages and organizations helping people in Palestine, Sudan, and Congo. She said she'd personally donated to all three organizations and shared links for anyone who wanted to donate.
The campaign appears to already be having an effect: Hailey previously posted a video expressing her joy at reaching 10 million followers, but her number has now dropped to 9.9 million. Social media users say Kim Kardashian has also seen her follower numbers drop significantly; a week ago she drew heavy backlash after responding to protesters chanting “Liberate Palestine” by saying “Liberate everyone.”
What do you think about the Blockout 2024 movement? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
