How You Can Support the BLM Movement

“I can’t breathe.” — George Floyd, October 1973 – March 2020

On May 25, 2020, a 46-year-old African-American man named George Floyd was killed when, during his arrest on suspicion of using a counterfeit bill, police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Since then, video footage of the incident has led to worldwide demonstrations and protests against police brutality. Sadly, this isn’t the first time skin color has become a death sentence. In 2014, Eric Garner was placed in a fatal chokehold by a New York City police officer, also repeating the words “I can’t breathe”.

In the past week and a half, hundreds of thousands of people have taken place in peaceful protests, honoring Floyd and other black victims of police brutality. The four officers involved in the homicide have also been fired. However, there have been riots among the protests — bottles thrown at police officers, cruisers set on fire, even shops broken into and looted from. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “A riot is the language of the unheard.” With white supremacists having advocated for the All Lives Matter movement for years, trying to drown out the cries of African-Americans and those who support them, violence is unfortunately inevitable.

As Americans, it is our job to work to make our country better. Even so, as strongly as we feel we need to make our voices heard, we shouldn’t need to resort to violence. Here are some safe and productive ways you can support the BLM movement:

• SOCIAL MEDIA. With millions having accounts on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, going online is a great way to get information to the public. In fact, many teenagers and young adults have taken to social media to make their voices heard. The hashtag #blacklivesmatter contains thousands of informational posts as well as posts about how people are showing their support.

• PEACEFUL PROTESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS. There have been peaceful protests and demonstrations for the BLM movement taking place all across America in the past few years. A peaceful protest is a safe way to voice your opinions and show that you are motivated to advocate for positive change. However, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to remember to maintain social distancing if possible and wear a mask.

• DONATIONS. Many organizations can’t sustain themselves without money. Sending in a donation — even as little as $25 — shows your support and will benefit the BLM movement. If you would like to donate to the BLM organization to help fund their campaigns, click here.

Unfortunately, there are still many who condemn the BLM movement and black people themselves. Additionally, there are many who stay neutral and choose to do nothing. Because of this, the road to fix the problems of police brutality and other shows of discrimination may be a long one. However, by showing your support, this process can be sped up.

The lives of George Floyd, Eric Garner, and so many others were taken unfairly. Even now, more than 150 years after slavery was banned in the United States, it’s evident that some people still have trouble seeing African-Americans as more than three-fifths of a person. These lost lives will remain in millions of hearts and minds for many years to come, but they could have been prevented. Police brutality can’t stop within a week. A racist mindset may not change for a lifetime. A multitude of people who show their support, however, can lead to new laws, such as limitations on lethal force by police. Now, more than ever, it’s vital that we support the lives of all black people and show that we care.

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