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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 MartinMichael BrownEric 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.

In Low-Wage Jobs, Working While Black Means Showing Up Sick

May 28, 2024

A temporary federal law during COVID gave low-wage workers paid sick leave. But the law expired, forcing a huge chunk of Black workers to clock in when they should stay home.

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How ‘Medical Gaslighting’ Ignores Black Women With Long COVID

April 10, 2024

Dr. Margot Gage Witvliet, PhD, developed Long COVID in 2020, facing medical gaslighting and discovering shared experiences in dozens of women & BIPOC. Dr. Gage Witvliet learned that medical gaslighting is an insidious phenomenon which disproportionately impacts women and BIPOC. Medical professionals frequently tell female patients with Long COVID and other invisible illnesses that their symptoms are “all in their heads” while treating male counterparts with contrasting, scientifically sound approaches.

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3 BLACK STUDENTS THAT HELPED DEVELOP THE FIRST COVID-19 VACCINE HAVE EMOTIONAL REUNION AT MOREHOUSE

September 21, 2023

Three Black students who helped develop the first COVID-19 vaccine reunite for the first time since their collaboration at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta.

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This Condition Makes You 75% More Likely to Get Long COVID

July 28, 2023

Research shows that sleep apnea, common in the Black community, is making people more susceptible to long COVID.

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Angel investing in Black startups plummeted after 2020. These investors are trying to reverse the trend.

February 24, 2023
Dr. Elizabeth Clayborne

Black entrepreneurs ma have great ideas, but the need capital, something which hasn’t been easy to find, to get them off the ground.

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Black Students Are Still Experiencing Pandemic Trauma

January 18, 2023
A young Black man

COVID-19 is still wreaking emotional havoc on Black students, who already struggle with the implication of race in school.

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A growing push to fix pulse oximeters’ flawed readings in people of color: ‘This can be dangerous’

December 7, 2022

The FDA is finally considering what to do about pulse oximeters, which do not work as well for people with darker skin.

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Massive learning setbacks show COVID’s sweeping toll on kids

October 28, 2022

COVID has only further increased racial inequalities in education according to a new report from the Associated Press.

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Federal government taken to court for reworking Black farmers debt relief program

October 12, 2022

Black farmers are taking a stand against the government, which rescinded funding for Black farmers hard hit by COVID.

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For Black-owned businesses, concerns extend beyond inflation, supply chain issues

September 20, 2022

Black business owners are feeling the crunch caused by the impending recession, and it has many of them worried about their futures.

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