When people see a black ribbon, one of the first things that may come to mind is mourning, loss or death. We understand that history. But symbols are not frozen forever.
For the Black Ribbon Campaign, black does not represent defeat. It represents unity, strength, dignity and power. We are taking a symbol that has often represented sorrow and using it to represent people standing together against racism and intolerance.
The word black has also too often been attached to negative ideas — expressions such as blacklisted, black mark, black sheep or black day. We want to challenge that pattern. We are not erasing what the black ribbon has meant to others; we are adding a positive meaning rooted in solidarity, respect and action.
When you wear the Black Ribbon, you are saying: I stand for unity. I stand for strength. I stand against racism and intolerance. I believe every person deserves dignity and respect. I believe change is possible when we stand together.
Not death, but life. Not despair, but hope. Not division, but unity. Not weakness, but strength.
One Ribbon. One Message. One Movement. Wear it. Explain it. Share it. Help us change what the Black Ribbon can mean.