Sam Darnold, Le’Veon Bell and the New York Jets social media department itself are among the many taking part in blackout Tuesday.
The New York Jets official Twitter account has a grand total of one tweet on Tuesday. It’s a simple tweet yet one that hits society in a profound way (and every individual in his/her own unique way).
#BlackoutTuesday pic.twitter.com/Kxj7JTsT4h
— New York Jets (@nyjets) June 2, 2020
The blackout craze hit the social media world on Tuesday with instructions for accounts to post an all-black colored image in solidarity of the cause and not return to the account for the rest of the day.
Jets running back Le’Veon Bell helped explain the guidelines early on Tuesday after he had posted his first public thoughts since the George Floyd tragedy hit our world last week.
#BlackOutTuesday pic.twitter.com/yFyduN3Dw3
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) June 2, 2020
I’ve held on to my words because I still haven’t been able to find the right thing to say…I’m hurt, WE are hurt, AMERICA is hurting, and I can’t even find words to express to you how bad I feel…RIP George Floyd 💔 #BlackLivesMatter #BlackOutTuesday 🖤✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/rUOLSnHlTb
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) June 2, 2020
He was feeling it to such a degree that later in the evening another tweet arrived with more thoughts attached.
just imagine a world where people could TRY & understand other people’s perspective…”other people” as in a person who’s completely different than they are…THAT is what we NEED badly!
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) June 2, 2020
Jets quarterback Sam Darnold also took part in blackout Tuesday, opting to use Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA7-CmUJgMq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Interestingly, not every Jets player was enthused with the idea. The team’s best player, Jamal Adams, thought the idea allowed for opportunistic folks to hop aboard without real conviction.
He quote-tweeted those very thoughts coming from Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley.
BINGO! https://t.co/IucFHvbmwM
— Jamal Adams (@Prez) June 2, 2020
Riots continue across the country while the vocal minority on social media continue to pretend objectivity and nuance aren’t real things. Unfortunately, the madness will continue until individuals can have real, nuanced conversations without dealing in absolutes.
“No, this individual isn’t automatically your enemy simply because he or she doesn’t think exactly like you.”
Why such an elementary thought is so tough to come to grips with on social media remains a tremendous mystery. I suppose respect only works if two human beings are having a conversation in a face-to-face setting.
