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In the book Dear Martin we witness incidents of police violence, racial profiling and ultimately the killing of a young Black teen by the hands of an off duty police officer. The violence depicted in the book reflects the real life circumstances of many Black people living in the U.S. Across the country, we've witnessed numerous protests and movements aiming to raise awareness surrounding the numerous Black lives that have been lost at the hands of the police. #BlackLivesMatter is one movement that is often associated with these efforts. The following resources explore the what, the who, and the why behind the Black Lives Matter Movement.
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WHAT IS BLM?
WHAT IS BLM?
In 2013, three Black organizers — Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi — created a Black-centered political will and movement building project called #BlackLivesMatter. It was in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer, George Zimmerman.The project is now a member-led global network of more than 40 chapters.
An interview with the founders of Black Lives Matter | Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi
Alicia Garza, Principal at the Black Futures Lab and co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Global Network, takes us through her activism career.
“Be a bush if you can't be a tree. If you can't be a highway, just be a trail. If you can't be a sun, be a star. For it isn't by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.”
-- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Gabriel Schwartz and Jaquelyn Jahn , examined racial and ethnic inequities in fatal police violence across 382 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas between 2013 and 2017. Results from the study show that Black people were 3.23 times more likely to be killed compared to White people when coming into contact with police.
In response to these injustices and the violence towards the Black community, organizers, activists, artists, youth workers, students and people across the nation have participated in this movement to create justice and enact change. The Black Lives Matter Global Network considers their work to be , "an ideological and political intervention in a world where Black lives are systematically and intentionally targeted for demise. It is an affirmation of Black folks’ humanity, our contributions to this society, and our resilience in the face of deadly oppression." The meaning of BLM has been theorized and discussed by many people and the intention behind this movement has often been contorted and twisted from its original meaning. BLM Founder Opal Tometi states, "When we started Black Lives Matter, it wasn’t solely about police brutality and extrajudicial killing. That was a spark point, but it was very intentional for us to talk about the way that black lives are cut short all across the board." This movement encompasses the desire and the right for all Black lives to be sustained, supported and valued.
For more context on The Black Lives Matter Global Network please visit their website. For more information on the organizing efforts of various Black Lives Matter Chapters, please click here.
To read more about the research conducted by Gabriel Schwartz and Jaquelyn Jahn , please see the link below.
Mapping fatal police violence across U.S. metropolitan areas
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
-- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
"A Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Explains Why This Time Is Different" - By Isaac Chotiner | June 3, 2020 |The New Yorker
"Opal Tometi, co-founder of Black Lives Matter: 'I do this because we deserve to live'" - By Ellen E Jones | September 24th 2020 | The Gaurdian
"She co-founded Black Lives Matter. Here’s why she’s so hopeful for the future" - By Rachel Hartigan | July 8th 2020 | National Geographic
"returning from away: wow" - A blog by adrienne maree brown | June 8th 2020
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