9.3 Black Lives Matter and contemporary civil rights activism
3 min read•july 22, 2024
emerged in 2013, sparked by the acquittal of in 's death. The movement gained momentum after high-profile police killings of unarmed Black individuals, fighting and police violence against Black communities.
BLM uses social media, peaceful protests, and policy advocacy to push for change. It differs from earlier civil rights movements with its decentralized structure and digital organizing, while facing challenges like backlash and maintaining momentum across its network.
The Black Lives Matter Movement
Origins of Black Lives Matter
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- Founded in 2013 by , , and in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin
- Gained national attention and momentum following high-profile cases of and killings of unarmed Black individuals
- in Ferguson, Missouri (2014)
- in New York City (2014)
- in Cleveland, Ohio (2014)
- in North Charleston, South Carolina (2015)
- in Baltimore, Maryland (2015)
- Aims to combat systemic racism, , and police violence against Black communities
- Advocates for racial justice, police accountability, and the dismantling of that disproportionately affect Black people (housing discrimination, education disparities, economic inequality)
Strategies of BLM activists
- Utilizes social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) to organize protests, share information, and raise awareness
- : , ,
- Engages in peaceful protests, marches, and demonstrations to draw attention to the movement's goals and demands
- "Die-ins" where participants lie on the ground to symbolize lives lost to police violence
- Blocking traffic and staging sit-ins to disrupt daily life and draw attention to the cause
- Advocates for policy changes at local, state, and federal levels to address systemic racism and police brutality
- : a comprehensive platform for police reform and accountability
- Calls for the reallocation of funds from policing to community services (mental health support, education, housing) and support systems
- Forms coalitions with other social justice movements and organizations (LGBTQ+ rights, immigration reform, environmental justice) to amplify their message and impact
BLM vs previous civil rights movements
- Similarities to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s
- Focus on racial equality, justice, and the dismantling of systemic racism
- Use of nonviolent civil disobedience and direct action tactics (sit-ins, marches, boycotts)
- Mobilization of communities and allies to effect change
- Differences from previous civil rights movements
- Decentralized leadership structure, with emphasis on local chapters and grassroots organizing rather than a single figurehead or organization
- Utilization of digital technologies and social media for organizing and communication
- Intersectional approach, acknowledging the interconnectedness of various forms of oppression (race, gender, sexuality, class)
- Impact on contemporary discourse
- Increased public awareness and conversations about systemic racism, white privilege, and the need for racial justice
- Sparked a global movement, with Black Lives Matter protests and solidarity demonstrations in countries around the world (UK, France, Australia)
- Influenced political platforms and policy proposals of candidates and elected officials (police reform, reparations, equity in education and housing)
Challenges and impact of BLM
- Challenges
- Resistance and backlash from those who view the movement as divisive or anti-police ( counter-movement)
- Infiltration and surveillance by law enforcement agencies seeking to undermine the movement
- Difficulty in maintaining momentum and unity across a decentralized network of chapters and activists
- Criticisms
- Accusations of promoting violence or being a "hate group" despite the movement's commitment to peaceful protest
- Claims that the movement's focus on Black lives is exclusionary or dismissive of other forms of injustice
- Debates over the effectiveness of the movement's strategies and tactics in achieving lasting change
- Ongoing influence
- Continued advocacy for police reform, racial justice, and the dismantling of systemic inequalities
- Increased representation and visibility of Black voices and experiences in media, politics, and public discourse
- Inspiration for other social justice movements and activism, both in the United States and globally (Indigenous rights, climate justice, gender equality)
Key Terms to Review (24)
#blacklivesmatter: #blacklivesmatter is a decentralized social movement that emerged in response to systemic racism and violence against Black individuals, particularly in the United States. It seeks to address and challenge police brutality, racial inequality, and other forms of discrimination that impact the lives of Black people. This movement has grown to encompass various forms of activism, using social media to raise awareness, mobilize supporters, and advocate for change in policies and practices related to racial justice.
#icantbreathe: #icantbreathe is a social media hashtag that emerged in response to police violence and systemic racism, particularly highlighting the deaths of African Americans at the hands of law enforcement. The phrase became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement and symbolizes the urgency for justice, accountability, and change in policing practices and racial equality. The hashtag encapsulates the broader fight against racial injustice and has been used to mobilize protests and raise awareness about ongoing discrimination and violence against Black individuals.
#sayhername: #sayhername is a social media hashtag and movement aimed at raising awareness of violence against Black women, particularly in the context of police brutality and systemic racism. It emphasizes the need to recognize and honor the lives of Black women who have been victims of violence, ensuring their stories are not overshadowed or forgotten in broader discussions surrounding racial injustice and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Alicia Garza: Alicia Garza is a civil rights activist, writer, and community organizer known for co-founding the Black Lives Matter movement in 2013. Her work has played a crucial role in contemporary civil rights activism, bringing attention to systemic racism and police violence against Black individuals in the United States. Through social media and grassroots organizing, she has mobilized communities and influenced national conversations about race and justice.
Black Lives Matter: Black Lives Matter is a social movement advocating for the rights and dignity of Black individuals, primarily in response to police violence and systemic racism. It seeks to address the injustices faced by Black communities and promote policies that support equality and justice. The movement has galvanized contemporary civil rights activism and highlighted the persistent issues of mass incarceration, economic disparities, and health inequalities affecting Black Americans.
Blue Lives Matter: Blue Lives Matter is a social movement that emerged in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, advocating for the rights and safety of law enforcement officers. It emphasizes the challenges faced by police and seeks to highlight the dangers of their profession, often framing the discussion around police work as a noble calling that deserves respect and support. This movement has sparked significant debate about the nature of public safety and systemic racism in law enforcement.
Campaign Zero: Campaign Zero is a comprehensive policy platform aimed at ending police violence in the United States. It focuses on implementing specific reforms to improve policing practices and holds law enforcement accountable for their actions. This initiative is a key part of the broader movement for racial justice and social reform that emerged from the Black Lives Matter movement, emphasizing the need for systemic change within law enforcement agencies.
Eric Garner: Eric Garner was an African American man whose death in 2014 after being placed in a chokehold by a New York City police officer sparked widespread protests and became a catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement. His final words, 'I can't breathe,' became a rallying cry against police brutality and systemic racism in the United States, linking his case to ongoing contemporary civil rights activism.
Ferguson protests: The Ferguson protests refer to a series of demonstrations and civil unrest that took place in Ferguson, Missouri, starting in August 2014, following the police shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed Black teenager. These protests became a focal point for discussions about systemic racism, police brutality, and the Black Lives Matter movement, highlighting the ongoing struggle for civil rights in contemporary America.
Freddie Gray: Freddie Gray was a 25-year-old African American man whose death in April 2015 while in police custody in Baltimore, Maryland, sparked widespread protests and renewed discussions about police brutality and systemic racism in the United States. His death became a pivotal moment for the Black Lives Matter movement and highlighted ongoing issues regarding the treatment of Black individuals by law enforcement.
George Zimmerman: George Zimmerman is known for being the neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed Black teenager, in Sanford, Florida in 2012. This incident sparked nationwide protests and discussions about race, gun laws, and self-defense, ultimately fueling the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement and contemporary civil rights activism.
Hashtag activism: Hashtag activism refers to the use of social media platforms, particularly Twitter and Instagram, to raise awareness and mobilize support for social and political causes through the use of hashtags. This form of activism allows individuals to easily participate in conversations, share information, and organize movements by tagging their posts with relevant hashtags, which helps to amplify their messages and connect like-minded people. It has become a key feature of contemporary civil rights movements, especially in the context of racial justice and equality.
Intersectionality: Intersectionality is a framework that examines how various social identities, such as race, gender, sexuality, and class, intersect and create unique experiences of oppression or privilege. It highlights the complexity of social justice issues by acknowledging that individuals can face multiple, overlapping forms of discrimination, which can amplify their struggles. This concept is crucial in understanding the diverse experiences within marginalized communities and informs activism and advocacy efforts.
Michael Brown: Michael Brown was an 18-year-old African American man whose fatal shooting by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 9, 2014, sparked national protests and became a pivotal moment in the Black Lives Matter movement. His death highlighted systemic issues of racial profiling, police brutality, and social injustice faced by African Americans, invigorating contemporary civil rights activism across the United States.
Opal Tometi: Opal Tometi is a Nigerian-American activist and one of the co-founders of the Black Lives Matter movement, which emerged in response to systemic racism and police violence against Black individuals. Her work emphasizes the importance of grassroots organizing, social justice, and amplifying marginalized voices, making her a pivotal figure in contemporary civil rights activism.
Patrisse Cullors: Patrisse Cullors is a prominent activist, artist, and co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, which seeks to address systemic racism and police violence against Black individuals. Her work has played a crucial role in contemporary civil rights activism, fostering awareness and mobilization around issues of racial injustice in the United States and beyond. As a key figure in this movement, she has utilized her platform to advocate for social change and empower marginalized communities.
Police brutality: Police brutality refers to the excessive and unlawful use of force by law enforcement officers, often disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. This term highlights systemic issues within policing practices, including racial profiling and the targeting of individuals based on their race or ethnicity. The prevalence of police brutality has led to significant social movements and activism aimed at reforming law enforcement and addressing racial injustices in society.
Protest culture: Protest culture refers to the social and political practices, values, and forms of expression that emerge when groups mobilize to challenge injustices or demand changes in society. This culture is characterized by collective action, grassroots organizing, and creative forms of resistance, often driven by marginalized communities seeking justice and equality. It plays a vital role in shaping contemporary movements, such as the fight for racial equality and justice.
Racial profiling: Racial profiling refers to the practice of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on their race or ethnicity rather than any specific evidence or behavior. This discriminatory practice often leads to systemic injustices, particularly against marginalized communities, and is deeply connected to issues such as law enforcement tactics and civil rights movements. Understanding racial profiling helps shed light on the broader implications of policing, the impact of social movements, and the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.
Structural Inequalities: Structural inequalities refer to the systematic disparities in resources, opportunities, and treatment that are ingrained in societal structures and institutions. These inequalities often manifest along lines of race, gender, class, and other social categories, influencing individuals' life chances and access to power. In the context of contemporary civil rights activism, understanding structural inequalities is crucial for addressing the root causes of systemic discrimination and advocating for social justice.
Systemic racism: Systemic racism refers to the ingrained policies, practices, and cultural norms within societal structures that create and maintain racial inequality. This form of racism is embedded in the fabric of institutions, affecting areas such as education, housing, employment, and criminal justice. It perpetuates discrimination against marginalized groups, particularly African Americans, through both overt and subtle means, leading to disparities in wealth, health, and opportunities.
Tamir Rice: Tamir Rice was a 12-year-old African American boy who was shot and killed by a police officer in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2014. His death sparked widespread protests and became a pivotal moment in the Black Lives Matter movement, highlighting issues of police violence, systemic racism, and the treatment of Black youth in America.
Trayvon Martin: Trayvon Martin was a 17-year-old African American teenager who was fatally shot in 2012 by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford, Florida. This tragic event sparked nationwide protests and discussions about racial profiling, gun control, and the systemic racism prevalent in the United States, becoming a pivotal moment in contemporary civil rights activism.
Walter Scott: Walter Scott was a Scottish historical novelist, poet, and playwright, known for his influential works in the early 19th century that often portrayed themes of history and identity. His literature helped to shape the romantic notion of the past and influenced many writers and movements, including contemporary civil rights activism, as it provided narratives that addressed issues of justice, identity, and societal change.