“Welcome to the fourth episode of the Allyship series. In this episode, we are going to be exploring the history and meaning behind the Black Lives Matter movement.”
“The Black Lives Matter movement is an international social movement dedicated to fighting anti-black racism and violence, especially in the form of police brutality. This movement consists of many local chapters affiliated with the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation. This foundation is active within the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi started the #BlackLivesMatter online movement in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer in 2013.”
“In a world where black lives are intentionally targeted, the Black Lives Matter movement hopes to affirm and celebrate Black humanity, Black contributions, Black culture, and Black resilience. Black Lives Matter follows after other African American civil rights movements and demands that society value black lives the same way they value white lives.”
“In the past, Black liberation movements centered around Black heterosexual, cisgender men. The Black Lives Matter movement has recognized this and the need for leadership from women and members of the LGBTQ+ community.”
“Throughout 2013 and 2014, people rallied around #BlackLivesMatter, using it as a platform and agent of organization in addressing the violence against black individuals. The movement highlights the violence against Black women, especially Black trans women. This movement was created to support all Black lives.”
“The names Tamir Rice, Tanisha Anderson, Mya Hall, Walter Scott, and Sandra Bland are just some of the names that #BlackLivesMatter has amplified. In 2014, the murder of Mike Brown pushed for an even stronger response. Darnell Moore and Patrisse Cullors organized a national ride called the Black Life Matters Ride. It took only 15 days to create a plan of action. Over 600 people gathered in St. Louis to show their support.”
“From there, people went to their homes and created Black Lives Matter chapters in their own communities. The Black Lives Matter movement continued to grow, and the Black Lives Matter Global Network Infrastructure was created with a goal to support Black leaders and empower Black existence.”
“The movement has continued to grow, thanks to the folks in St. Louis and Ferguson, who continued to show up for Black lives. There are now more than 40 chapters in the Black Lives Matter member-led global network. In each of these chapters, there are activists who organize local campaigns and programs in order to intervene in the violence inflicted on Black communities on top of many other goals.”
“All efforts are aimed at drawing attention to the many ways that Black people are treated unfairly in society and in the systems that continue to this day.”
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