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KQED's Forum

When Social Movements Meet Consumer Culture

KQED's Forum

KQED

News, Politics, News Commentary

4.2 • 726 Ratings

🗓️ 5 June 2020

⏱️ 31 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

As protests continue across the country, many companies and public figures have released statements on social media to speak out against racism and police brutality and express solidarity with protestors -- to a mixed response. Some of those statements don’t necessarily align with corporate policies or previous behavior. Critics are labeling these acts “performative allyship” and calling on companies to take action by donating to anti-racism causes instead. We’ll look at the idea of “solidarity” on social media and in our consumer culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

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farm-fresh ingredients. Learn more at Rancho LePuerta.com.

0:27.3

Support for Forum comes from Broadway S.F. presenting Parade, the musical revival based on a

0:33.2

true story. From three-time Tony-winning composer Jason Robert Brown comes the story of Leo and

0:39.7

Lucille Frank, a newlywed Jewish couple struggling to make a life in Georgia. When Leo is accused

0:46.3

of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into an unimaginable test of faith, humanity, justice,

0:53.4

and devotion. The riveting and gloriously hopeful parade

0:57.6

plays the Orphium Theater for three weeks only, May 20th through June 8th. Tickets on sale now

1:04.4

at Broadway, sF.com.

1:08.5

From KQED. This is Forum. I'm Mina Kim.

1:12.6

In the wake of nationwide protests, many companies and celebrities have released statements on social media, speaking out against racism, police brutality, and expressing solidarity with protesters.

1:24.6

But they've gotten a mixed response, especially when companies' statements

1:29.9

don't really align with their behavior and policies. Critics are labeling these acts,

1:34.7

performative allyship. And to dig into what that means, we'll be talking with our guests

1:40.3

and with you, our listeners. Curious what your thoughts are on performative allyship,

1:45.0

whether or not you feel like brands and companies speaking out against racism are authentic and helpful.

1:51.0

And if you think that they have a role to play in social movements, you can tell us by giving us a call at 866-736-

1:59.0

Again, 866-7-3-3-66. You can also get in touch on Twitter and Facebook. We're at KQED Forum or email your questions to forum at kQED.org. Tell us, is there an ad, a message of solidarity, a statement that was made by a company, a public figure, or a celebrity that has struck you as being particularly

2:19.0

authentic or substantive, or if you felt like it's kind of rung hollow with you, again, the

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