Digital Movement: 'Operation Blockout' Sparks Celebrity Backlash After Met Gala

The recent digital movement known as "Operation Blockout" has gained momentum on social media, with users expressing their frustration with celebrities who have remained silent on pressing social issues, particularly the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Sudan. 

This movement, also referred to as the "digital guillotine," has led to a significant number of A-list celebrities losing followers after the Met Gala. 

The crux of the movement lies in a simple yet potent action, “mass blocking of celebrities who fail to use their platforms for social good.”

The catalyst for this movement was a video posted by TikTok user Haley Bailey, in which she showcased a Marie Antoinette-inspired look at the Met Gala and lip-synced the phrase "Let them eat cake." 

This video, perceived as tone-deaf by many, sparked outrage as it coincided with the escalating military assault in Gaza, resulting in the loss of thousands of Palestinian lives, most of whom were civilians. 

In response, social media users initiated a campaign to block celebrities who have not used their platforms to shed light on the ongoing humanitarian crises in the world. 

Using hashtags such as #Blockout2024, #LetThemEatCake, and #CelebrityBlockList, online users have been compiling lists of celebrities with large followings and cultural influence, calling for them to be blocked to diminish their digital influence and revenue. 

What's remarkable about Operation Blockout is its decentralized nature. It's not led by any single organization or influencer but rather fueled by a collective sense of outrage and solidarity. 

Currently, Sudan is in the grip of a severe humanitarian crisis, with ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) exacerbating the situation. Since erupting on April 15, 2023, this conflict has displaced over 8 million people, with more than 6.5 million displaced within Sudan and over 2 million fleeing to neighboring countries. 

The death toll is staggering, with more than 13,000 lives lost and 26,000 others injured in Sudan since the conflict's inception. 

In Gaza, the situation is equally dire, with Israeli airstrikes causing havoc on civilian lives and infrastructure. These airstrikes, violating international laws, have resulted in civilian casualties, with reports of significant loss of life, particularly among women and children. 

The Gaza Health Ministry reports a staggering toll of 35,091 killed and 78,827 injured since the conflict began, highlighting the human cost of asymmetrical warfare. 

The impact of this movement is already reverberating through the digital sphere. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift have seen significant drops in their follower counts, signaling the impact of this digital boycott.

The rationale behind this mass blocking isn't just about sending a message; it's also a strategic move to hit celebrities where it hurts—their revenue streams.

 "When we hate on them, they make money. When we praise them, they make money. But when we block their social media accounts and completely forget their names, they lose it all," one of the Tiktoker said. 

"They (celebrities) live off of our attention," posted one user on X, formerly Twitter. "If they don't have any, they cease to exert their influence." 

"I made a Google Doc of every celebrity that attended the Met Gala, and now I'm going through and writing if they've been silent, or if they've been using their platform to speak up about the genocide in Gaza," said an anonymous TikTok user in a video, which showed a long list of celebrity names. 

"We gave them their platforms, it's time to take it back, take our views away, our likes, our comments, our money, by blocking them on all social media and digital platforms," another Tiktoker declared in the video on social media. 

Operation Blockout isn't just about numbers; it's about raising awareness and amplifying marginalized voices. By drawing attention to the stark contrast between extravagant events like the Met Gala and the harsh realities of conflict zones, social media users are forcing a reckoning with celebrity culture's disconnect from real-world issues. 

Critics of the movement argue that it's performative and superficial, reducing complex geopolitical issues to a mere popularity contest. 

Some users argue that the attention should shift away from celebrities and towards holding politicians accountable for real change. "We're doing what we did with the BLM: focusing all our energy into celebrity shaming instead of actively pressuring our politicians," a Reddit user remarked, drawing parallels to the Black Lives Matter movement. 

However, the proponents of the movement argue that it's a necessary step towards holding powerful figures accountable and leveraging social media for positive change. 

The response from celebrities has been mixed. While some celebrities like Haley Kalil and Lizzo, have acknowledged their missteps and taken steps to rectify them, others remain silent or dismissive. 

Lizzo, the American pop star, took to her TikTok account to share a GoFundMe campaign aiming to help a Palestinian family seeking to escape Gaza, along with another fundraiser for humanitarian aid in Sudan. She not only donated to these causes but also shared the campaign links with her followers.

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