Brett Swain |Staff writerTuesday, June 2, was a unique day for social media. It was Blackout Tuesday. This was a day when people posted a black screen on their page and took the day off from social media. The time people normally would be on social media would be focused on the Black Lives Matter movement and understanding more about it. Many in the Augusta community came together for this historic event.For excample, Dr. Keel Brooks, president of Augusta University, posted a statement on Augusta’s social media pages.“Augusta University’s greatest strength can be found in our people - a diverse, dynamic and vibrant community. Many members of our community are experiencing fears, frustrations and concerns following the tragic killings of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd. In this moment, I encourage all of Jaguar Nation to show comfort, compassion and support to members in our AU family who may be hurting. During these trying times it is even more important for each of us to condemn racism and bigotry in all of its forms, and recommit ourselves to Augusta University’s core values, particularly inclusivity, as reflected in our aim to advance diversity, equality, fairness, impartiality and respect. We hope that you can draw strength from our AU community as we seek to heal in this moment and come together to do the important work required to meet our mission of saving lives and changing lives.”Augusta University students also participated in Blackout Tuesday. Walls of social media flooded with blacked screens.Jessica Flitter, a senior English secondary education major, explains what Blackout Tuesday meant to her.“Blackout Tuesday is more than just a day of blank, black backgrounds on social media," she said. "It’s where we take a moment to mourn the death of not only George Floyd, but all people of color who have suffered death at the hands of our crooked justice system. It means we take a day to honor their legacy and spread only words of activism. It means we stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter movement. We stand with those who are also mourning. It shows that we seek a justice system that is fair and equal to all, and the prosecution of those who have committed awful crimes against the African American community. Racism is an ugly, vicious thing. If we stand together, and work as one, such as Blackout Tuesday, together wee can work towards a better future.”Tamaria Alexander, a senior communication major, was impressed with the unity shown on Blackout Tuesday.“Blackout Tuesday was a great show of solidarity," she said. "It was also great to see the blackout span across the world and see conversations (positive or negative) start. I saw great posts that shared black books, art, restaurants, businesses and much more. Posts that highlighted amazing black people, past and present, that did/doing great things in the world. That is what I hope people take away the most. More information. I hope that people continue to learn more about each other and other’s experiences. I hope these conversations continue, and that more connections are made.”Blackout Tuesday was a day where people reflected on recent events. I day where people understood more about the Black Lives Matter movement and how important it is. It was a day when people could put themselves in other’s people shoes and see what they see. In the last two weeks, the Augusta community, through its nonviolent protests, including Blackout Tuesday, has taken the Floyd murder as an opportunity to share the belief that everyone should be treated equally regardless of skin color.