In New York, a movement has emerged on social media where users are blocking celebrities who they believe are not taking a stand on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The “blockout” involves users putting a block on all content from certain celebrities on platforms such as Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram. Some users have used hashtags like #blockout, #blockout2024, or #celebrityblockout to share their actions, while others have criticized celebrities for attending events like the Met Gala while remaining silent on the situation in Gaza.
The blockout is a form of protest against celebrities who have not spoken up or have not said enough against Israel’s actions in Gaza during its war with Hamas. Since the war began on October 7th, more than 35,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Blocking celebrities on social media means not seeing any of their content, including posts, photos, videos, and collaborations with sponsors. The goal is to affect views, engagement, and ultimately, paychecks by taking attention away from their content.
There is no organized list of celebrities being blocked, and users are deciding on their own who to block. The blockout has gained attention after the Met Gala last week, where protesters circled the event and images from the gala were contrasted with images from Gaza.
The effectiveness of the blockout remains to be seen, according to Beth Fossen, assistant professor of marketing at Indiana University. It may depend on the celebrity’s brand and what they are known for.
Criticism of the blockout includes concerns that it takes attention away from the situation in Gaza and questions about the parameters for judging whether a celebrity should be blocked.
Main characters biography:
– Beth Fossen: Assistant professor of marketing at Indiana University
– Celebrities: Not specified
Short history:
– The blockout movement began in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza
– It gained attention after the Met Gala last week
– The effectiveness of the blockout is still uncertain
Bullet points:
– Blockout involves blocking celebrities on social media
– Aimed at those who have not spoken up about the crisis in Gaza
– No organized list of celebrities being blocked
– Effectiveness of the blockout remains to be seen