Founder of Black Solidarity Day, Carlos Russell Black Solidarity Day (BSD) was first observed in 1969 on the campus of Brooklyn College, when Prof. Carlos Russell a friend of playwright, Douglas Turner Ward, and a playwright himself, established it as a holiday. He was inspired by Ward’s play, A Day of Absence, in which he satirically depicts a small southern town in turmoil when all the Black citizens suddenly disappeared, revealing the town's social and economic reliance on the Black community.
Russell, who was born in Panama's former Canal Zone in 1934, an accomplished poet and activist established BSD as a day of protest against injustice. Celebrated on the Monday before Election Day, BSD is a reminder to the nation of the collective strength and the potential political power of the Black community. Traditionally, this is a day in which people of Afrikan descent (and supporters) throughout the country abstain from participation in the social, political and economic affairs of the nation. With this peaceful absence, Afrikan Americans, and others, passively oppose racism, as well as social and civil injustices, on a global level. To commemorate the spirit of Black Solidarity, people are supposed to wear all Black (or a Black or silver ribbon to show their support), in-gather, discuss relevant issues, and support Black businesses.
Russell, who was born in Panama's former Canal Zone in 1934, an accomplished poet and activist established BSD as a day of protest against injustice. Celebrated on the Monday before Election Day, BSD is a reminder to the nation of the collective strength and the potential political power of the Black community. Traditionally, this is a day in which people of Afrikan descent (and supporters) throughout the country abstain from participation in the social, political and economic affairs of the nation. With this peaceful absence, Afrikan Americans, and others, passively oppose racism, as well as social and civil injustices, on a global level. To commemorate the spirit of Black Solidarity, people are supposed to wear all Black (or a Black or silver ribbon to show their support), in-gather, discuss relevant issues, and support Black businesses.
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