Black Lives Matter, sometimes shortened to “BLM,” is an anti-racist movement that highlights racism and the disparities that evolve from racism, including police brutality and other anti-Black violence. Black Lives Matter gained popularity online after the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer was recorded and shared by a bystander. In response to the video, which shows officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, protests erupted around the world. These protests were often met with police violence, some of which has been declared illegal while protestors have been falsely arrested.
The momentum continued to draw attention to police violence, both as more Black lives were taken and as previous stories came to light. Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Breonna Taylor are also victims who the movement has recognized. Thanks to the attention given to these cases, some of the perpetrators have finally faced justice, including Derek Chauvin, who has been convicted with murder.
BLM also encouraged police reform and greater investigations into policing, with some activists calling for reparations or to defund the police and reroute funds to other social programs that may be more effective. The movement has further brought attention to international conflict and raised funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. In some ways, the movement reflects the previous Civil Rights Movement, which lasted through the 1960s to 1980s including the Black Panther Party, which provided community assistance. Because of this, the movement has been recognized for its historical significance.
However, the movement has come under fire for protests that turned violent, for focusing too much on Black men, and for mismanaging funds raised.
A nonprofit organization, The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, also exists. Some people may refer to it as simply “Black Lives Matter.”
See all of our Black Lives Matter content below, starting with the most recent.
Posts Tagged ‘Black Lives Matter (BLM)’
‘I can’t breathe’: Eric Garner remembered on the 10th anniversary of his chokehold death
Eric Garner’s mother, Gwen Carr, continues to mourn the loss of her son in the decade since he was suffocated to death by an NYC police officer. Carr continues to call for police and gun reform in the name of her son.
Read MoreMilwaukee hotel workers fired after death of Black man pinned down outside
D’vontaye Mitchell was pinned to the ground outside Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee, and his family calls for further justice after the firing of the three employees involved.
Read More4 Missouri prison guards charged with murder, 5th with manslaughter, in death of Black man
Four prison guards whose violent actions against an inmate caused his death may serve between 10 and 30 year sentences for manslaughter.
Read MoreThe Civic Promise of Juneteenth
In contrast to MLK Jr. Day, a more racially contentious dynamic has unfolded around Juneteenth, which has opened the door to a more focused telling of Black history.
Read MoreThe Disturbing Truth About Hair Relaxers
Despite being linked to reproductive disorders and cancer, hair relaxers are still being aggressively marketed toward Black women and even Black children.
Read MoreMajority of Black Americans believe U.S. institutions are conspiring against them, poll finds
A study by Pew Research Center founds that more than 6 in 10 Black adults agree that institutions such as the criminal justice system, the country’s economic system and policing are designed to hold Black people back.
Read MoreCongressional Black Caucus condemns Marjorie Taylor Greene’s rant about George Floyd
While trying to defend the Republican party for still supporting Trump’s campaign despite his 34 guilty counts of falsifying business records, Greene called George Floyd a “convicted felon” and accused the Democrat party of worshipping him.
Read MoreAlmost 6,000 Dead in 6 Years: How Baltimore Became the U.S. Overdose Capital
Baltimore was once celebrated for its response to addiction. However, because fentanyl has become more commonplace and law enforcement is shifting its focus toward gun violence, deaths have risen.
Read MoreYour Right to Peacefully Protest Is Under Attack Across America
In today’s political climate, the right to assemble has become more restricted as law enforcement tries to maintain control. Protests in Texas and a SCOTUS decision point to this.
Read MoreCaring for the Ancestors’ Land
Artist and activist Bevelyn Afor Ukah is on a mission to relieve food insecurity in the Black community by teaching gardening skills in combination with ancestral teachings.
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