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)’
Special News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Protests push amendment to remove ‘slavery’ from Utah’s constitution
The recent protests against racial inequality could push legislation on policing to passage on Utah’s Capitol Hill, as well as a proposed amendment that officially repeals “slavery” from the state constitution.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – King Leopold statues removed in Belgium
Introduction To This Series: This post is one installment in an ongoing news series: a “living history” of the current national and international uprising for justice. Today’s movement descends directly from the many earlier civil rights struggles against repeated injustices and race-based violence, including the killing of unarmed Black people. The posts in this series…
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up For Justice! – Houston Bids Goodbye to George Floyd
George Floyd’s funeral and the public viewing that preceded it a day earlier have been a counterpoint to the fury that his death touched off in cities across America.
Read MoreSpecial News Series: Rising Up for Justice! – Know Their Names
This is the first of a series of posts serving as a timeline of the uprising that began on May 26, 2020, the day after a Minneapolis police officer killed an unarmed Black man, George Floyd, by kneeling on his neck. Here are four stories of the senseless killings of unarmed African Americans that have brought unprecedented national awareness to the ongoing demand to truly make Black Lives Matter in this country.
Read MoreWisconsin GOP lawmakers force Colin Kaepernick’s name out of Black History Month resolution
White Republican legislators in Wisconsin continue to dictate who is worth of honor during Black History Month. Colin Kaepernick is deemed too controversial, due to his kneeling during the National Anthem.
Read MorePortland Police Sergeant To Precinct: If A Homeless Person Is Black, Just Shoot Them
Sgt. Gregg Lewis was fired last year for his comments, first released publicly this week. He is fighting the firing and may be able to retire with pension.
Read MoreDemocratic Takeover Could Bring First Black Speaker
Upheaval in the Democratic caucus could pave the way for a historic House leader — and some potential names are already being discussed. In 230 years, there’s never been a black speaker, or any black lawmaker seriously in the running for the post. That could change after voters go to the polls in November.
Read MoreA Sandra Bland Documentary Is Coming to HBO
HBO revealed their fall lineup of documentaries, including Say Her Name, a documentary about Sandra Bland’s life. The documentary will be told through various clips of her mother and sisters and clips from her video blogs.
Read MoreAmerica’s nonviolent civil rights movement was considered uncivil by critics at the time
The backlash to the current fight for civil rights for immigrants, people of color, sex workers, and other marginalized groups mirror the backlash from demonstrators of the Civil Rights era. This article elaborates on the response then and today.
Read MoreBlack Women Leaders, Then And Now
This article touches on some of the radical black women who have been apart of the Black Power Movement all the way to the current women leading the Black Lives Matter movement. Over the past decades, these women have also been left out of recorded history.
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