#BLM a National Movement
By Staff Writer
#BlackLivesMatter, are three words that were seen as a controversial slogan for years. Many people and companies turned their backs to the slogan, often combating it with “All Lives Matter” or seeing the slogan as a political ploy and remaining silent on the issues of systemic racism, racial profiling, and other issues that continue to marginalize black people in America. Fast forward to 2020, the slogan has transformed into a movement, supported by people of all backgrounds, not just in America but globally.
Outrage over George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minnesota Police officers ignited a flame in people of all different backgrounds, nationalities and skin colors, coming together to call out the injustices in the treatment of black people in America. It’s a fight that’s derived from the country’s history of slavery, and unequal treatment of black people.
The Black Lives Matter phrase was created following the 2012 death of Trayvon Martin at the hands of a self-proclaimed neighborhood-watch volunteer in Florida. Since his acquittal, a movement to protect black lives was born. Just two years after Travon Martin’s death, 18-year old Michael Brown was killed by police sparking outrage in Ferguson. Since then, Sandra Bland, Philando Castille, Alton Sterling, Tamir Rice, and so many others, solely armed with black skin have been shot, choked, beaten and killed by the hands of police. It’s the same brutal treatment that’s been seen in America’s history from the killing of Rodney King, and Emmitt Till. Black people die, and no consequences are dealt. The #BlackLivesMatter movement is calling for change.
In recent weeks the Black Lives Matter Movement has garnered worldwide attention to police brutality and the treatment of black people in America. Americans in all 50 states participated in protests sparked from Geroge Floyd’s murder. Companies that have never spoken out on racial injustices have spoken out and offered support. Even the National Football League’s Commissioner Roger Goodell offered a public apology for “not listening to players” who peacefully protested police brutality by taking a knee during the national anthem at a football game. A move that many say ostracized quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Those who have a hard time understanding the Black Lives Matter movement are often asked to think in the terms of “Black Lives Matter Too”, “All lives won’t matter, until black lives matter”, or “save black lives” because they are being threatened. You must also take a look at America’s history. Black people weren’t always considered Americans, but rather as property for 400 years. Black people have only been Americans for the last 155 years. Still, although black people in the country legally became citizens, many were still treated as lesser, and many still are.
A Washington Post-Schar School poll found that 69 percent of Americans say the death of George Floyd in the custody of Minneapolis police reflects a broader problem in the way black people are treated by police, while 29 percent who say it was an isolated incident. This compared to a Post-ABC News Poll in 2014 that found 43 percent of Americans believed recent high-profile police shootings reflected a broader problem and that 51 percent said they were isolated incidents.
What was once seen as a radical idea or group less than 10 years ago has garnered worldwide support from people of all ethnicities, nationalities, religions, and economic classes. The Black Lives Matter movement is a continued fight for civil rights in the common day. While some still oppose the movement, it’s catching on like wildfire and will hopefully lead to a safer and better America for everyone regardless the color of their skin.
SOURCE: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/how-the-black-lives-matter-movement-went-mainstream/2020/06/09/201bd6e6-a9c6-11ea-9063-e69bd6520940_story.html
