Should Your Brand Respond to the Black Lives Matter Movement?
Our country is hurting right now. George Floyd's murder served as a harsh reminder of the systematic racism that has plagued the U.S. for centuries. Enough is enough. Our society needs real change, real justice, and real equality.
But as a brand, how can you acknowledge the overwhelming reality that is systematic racism? How do you speak against police brutality? What is the best way to support the Black Lives Matter movement?
We are the first to admit that answering these questions is not easy.
We are a predominately white office, and we struggled to understand how to support the Black Lives Matter movement without looking performative or, worse, problematic. But our motto is 'Be a Brand That Takes a Stand.' Silence was not an option.
In the end, we took the first step by sharing a social media post that got real about racism. We carefully selected a quote that spoke to our experience as an office, and the response we received was only positive.
We recommend that every brand takes a stand. Stand up for what you believe in, now and in the future.
Here are a few truths to keep in mind
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Your business will not end for getting 'political.' Ben & Jerry's published an extraordinary statement on white supremacy. We can guarantee that the famous ice cream brand isn't going to go under because of it.
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Your intentions are what matter. If your intentions are pure and your support is genuine, that is what will shine through.
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There is no such thing as a perfect ally. We all make mistakes, and if we get called out on our imperfections, it's ok. What counts is that we learn from our mistakes.
Social Media Inspiration
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Listen and learn. The Hatchery shared a wonderful post about listening, learning, and choosing to be better. The co-working space admitted that they are not experts and welcomed feedback on what actions they could take. It's better to be humble, vulnerable, and honest than to try and speak to experiences you haven't been involved in.
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Share resources. You can also take the "add value" approach to the subject. Share resources, such as books, documentaries, and websites, or even quotes you find educational. (Feel free to use the Scott Woods quote that we shared on our Instagram.)
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Take a personal stand. If you don't feel comfortable speaking from your company's platform, you can always post from your personal accounts.
Since our original social media post, we have also created a local resource list for people in mid-MO and spearheaded new marketing initiatives for The BOLD Academy, our longstanding non-profit client that supports Black and Brown girls in Columbia. It's important to walk the walk. Not sure how? Fostering discussions in your office is a good place to start.
This is a tough time, and we understand that voicing your thoughts and feelings can be overwhelming. But standing up for what is right is always worth it. Let us know if we can help you take a stand.