by Shawn Nowlin
Elon Musk, a detested billionaire, oversees the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In layman’s terms that means as a Senior Advisor to the President of the United States, he is in charge of carrying out spending cuts and modernizing federal technology to maximize productivity on the national level.
Given that the initiative was only created because Trump signed an executive order, it should come as no surprise that millions of Americans feel like the move cripples the masses.
Major companies like Amazon, Meta, Chevron, Uber, Coca Cola, Verizon and PayPal all contributed to Trump’s 2024 presidential bid. One way that Americans can hold businesses accountable when they disagree on strategy is to impact their bottom line.
Local consumers and their allies voiced their opposition against the Trump Administration and corporate greed last Friday by participating in a nationwide economic blackout movement.
Instead of relying on retail giants like Walmart and Target, participants were encouraged to shop at small and local businesses. Actress Taraiji P. Henson and other celebrities used their platforms to promote the boycott.
Leo’s Catering & Co., Heavenly Foods, Status Lounge & Lounge, Swift Moves, The Slay Room and Reggae Grub are just a fraction of the Black-owned businesses throughout Roanoke.
For Sabrina Dillard, shifting the online movement into real-world conversations is of critical importance. “The purchasing power in the Black community moves the needle. Disregarding the very individuals that help keep businesses afloat comes with consequences. To truly have an impact though, we can’t just do this every now and then. Consistency is the key,” she said.
Malcolm Evans stands in solidarity with the movement. “My family and closest friends were committed to not spending money for 24 hours to resist the Trump Administration and Musk’s spending cuts. The larger movement demands respect and long-term change from corporations that profit from paying consumers, among other things,” he said.
The grassroots group People’s Union USA – which follows the rollback of DEI initiatives at various companies – spearheaded the national boycott.
“If we disrupt the economy for just one day, it sends a powerful message,” the group wrote on its website. “The People’s Union is not just about resisting corruption, it is about exposing it. For decades, corporations, politicians and industries have worked together to rig the system against the American people.”
