Publix has performed itself, and there might be penalties for its cowardly capitulation to conservative tradition.
Two black ladies, La-Tasha Estelle and Casey R. Kelley, launched a implausible occasion referred to as “Black Guide Bash”, a three-day literary competition celebrating not solely Black authors however Black readers, distributors, impartial publishers, and influencers that’s set to happen October 3–5, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida. In keeping with The Hub, Publix was not solely signed on to be a sponsor of this occasion however particularly requested to be given “title sponsorship with exclusivity”, which suggests they needed to money in on the goodwill and cultural clout that the occasion would create locally.
Nonetheless, in keeping with The Hub, Publix has withdrawn its help of Black Guide Bash, citing the “political local weather” as the rationale for reneging on its settlement. The “political local weather” that Publix is probably going referring to is Trump’s mission to take away all books, artifacts, and knowledge that tells the reality about America in no unsure phrases relating to slavery, Jim Crow, and systemic racism in opposition to Black individuals. Not solely does Trump need these items faraway from the general public, however he has additionally proven an keen willingness to punish these people and entities that refuse to kowtow to his calls for.
Basically, Publix is shook of the MAGA smoke and might’t afford to be seen supporting Black literature. Though MAGA conservatives like Charlie Kirk would argue persistently that Black persons are uneducated and lack “the mind processing energy” to be clever. So, name us silly whereas additionally making a tradition that punishes those that would help in Black schooling.
Publix’s refusal to help Black Guide Bash didn’t deter the founders nor the neighborhood, who’re excited to take part and see of us like Comic and actor Roy Wooden Jr., Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Actress Kim Fields, and Dr. Ian Smith converse over the course of the occasion. Because of donations and an outpouring of help, Black Guide Bash remains to be occurring.
“Whereas this was an sudden setback, our mission stays unchanged,” occasion organizers stated in a press release. “We’re asking the neighborhood to face with us so we will proceed celebrating tales that matter.”
Many on-line are calling for Publix to be taught the lesson that Goal is at present studying, which is that in the event you go MAGA, you would possibly lose a bagga.
If a boycott of Publix takes maintain, it may very well be infinitely worse than any Trump backlash they feared for supporting the Black Guide Bash. We love that for them.
