How the EDM industry is fighting racism amidst a pandemic
For most of 2020, the spotlight has been on the coronavirus, but all of it recently changed with the murder of George Floyd. There have been years of racial injustice towards the Black community, but Floyd’s incident ignited social change around the world — and the EDM industry is fighting alongside protesters.
Over the past couple of weeks, protests against police brutality and systemic racism due to George Floyd’s death have been happening worldwide. Floyd passed away on May 25 due to mechanical asphyxia, which Derek Chauvin caused by pinning Floyd’s neck to the ground with his knee. This unjust murder ignited protests all around the world to happen. Not only were people fighting for charges against all four policemen responsible for Floyd’s death, but the overall idea of racial oppression towards the Black community as well.
Around the same time, Proximity and Brownies & Lemonade announced their second virtual festival, Digital Mirage 2, to take place on June 5–7, but since the Black Lives Matter movement was starting to make strides towards justice, the online festival was pushed back.
On June 2, Proximity posted a message online as to why the festival was pushed back. The music promotion channel emphasized that they stand in solidarity with the BLM movement and that it is important not to draw attention away from it.
On June 9, they announced the new rescheduled dates for Digital Mirage 2 along with the set times.
Proximity and Brownies & Lemonade also revealed that all donations from the festival will go towards Color of Change and Equal Justice Initiative to help fight for racial equity.
Other online festivals happening the same weekend, such as Wasteland on June 12, and Superheroes Anonymous on June 13, announced that they will also raise donations towards Equal Justice Initiative, Rave Recovery, and Change.org in support of racial justice.
Although there was a setback to the original date for Digital Mirage 2, it was for the greater good. The EDM industry recognized its influence and decided to use its platforms to reinforce racial equity— by having all of its donations from the upcoming festivals go to organizations that fight against racism.
In all, the EDM industry is actively fighting alongside protestors, one online music festival at a time.
