A Time for Change
The #BlackLivesMatter Movement began in the summer of 2013 by three Black organizers, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometiin, in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer, George Zimmerman. It was made to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. The demands for respect, freedom, liberation, and justice have been continuously asked for after years of hatred and discrimination towards the Black community. After facing countless years of hatred and discrimination, the Black community has continually demanded justice. The civil rights movement that eradicated segregation although believed to be a “very distant time ago” was only finalized in the late 1960s, leaving much space for hate towards the Black community to continue.
On May 25th, 2020, George Floyd was murdered by a white police officer who knelt on his neck for almost 9 minutes, reflecting the brutal and broken police system currently in place in the U.S. This was a distressing and pivotal event for the #BlackLivesMatter movement, causing protests to surge around the country. It is important to remember that these reactions are not the sowing of one singular event, but rather the build-up of years, decades, and centuries of racism and systemic oppression towards the Black community. This can be seen from the death of Trayvon Martin in 2012, Eric Garner in 2014, Mike Brown Jr. in 2014, Tamir Rice in 2014, Sam DuBose in 2015, Stephon Clark in 2018, Ahmaud Arbery in 2020, Breonna Taylor in 2020, George Floyd in 2020, and the shooting of Walter Scott in 2015. These are only a handful of the tragic events that resulted from police brutality and racial profiling. A more extensive timeline of some of the events can be found here.
To all our readers who have the privilege of not being discriminated against due to skin color, we ask that you use this privilege to fight racism as opposed to using violence.
Here we list resources you can refer to further educate yourself on, or donate to help out this crucial cause.
Ted Talks about Race
The Urgency of Intersectionality - Kimberlé Crenshaw
Crenshaw discusses “intersectionality,” describing the phenomenon of race and gender bias combining to create even more harm in today’s reality. In this TED talk, she calls on listeners to pay attention to this reality and to speak up for victims of prejudice.
An interview with the founders of Black Lives Matter
The Black Lives Matter movement, founded in 2013, is one that’s continually evoked discussions of race and inequality. In this interview, the three founders discuss leadership, hope in the midst of a painful reality, participation to ensure freedom and equality for everybody.
How we can make racism a solvable problem - and improve policing
In this TED talk, Dr. Phillip Atiba Goff, a justice scientist, discusses his work at the Center for Policing Equality. This organization utilizes a data-driven approach to help police departments recognize and track racial gaps in policing to eliminate them. Dr. Phillip Atiba Goff talks about his work and how audience members can become involved in the work that needs to be done still.
Books To Further Educate Yourself
The Hate U Give - Angie Thomas
This novel is about a teenage girl who is constantly alternating between the two worlds of her poor, mostly Black neighborhood and the wealthy, predominantly white prep school she attends. She grapples with racism, police brutality, and activism after witnessing her Black friend get murdered by the police.
How to be Antiracist - Ibram X. Kendi
Kendi highlights the pervasiveness of racism throughout society, and encourages readers to take the next step of action in being antiracist.
So You Want to Talk about Race - Ijeoma Oluo
Oluo addresses both white and people of color readers, and introduces to them a variety of topics, ranging from intersectionality to microaggressions. It will challenge readers to really think about their actions and the way that their actions affect others.
Just Mercy - Bryan Stevenson
Just Mercy details the story of Bryan Stevenson, a recent Harvard graduate, who goes to Alabama to legally defend those who cannot afford proper representation or who’ve been falsely convicted. Although the story contains various profiles, the storyline focuses primarily on Stevenson and Walter McMillian, a Black man wrongfully accused of murder and sentenced to death in Alabama in 1987.
Have Black Lives Ever Mattered? - Mumia Abu-Jamal
Abu-Jamal highlights the contentious relationship between the criminal justice system and the Black community. He examines the history of policing in the United States, and provides a perspective on the racist violence that’s tearing our country apart and what must be done to change things for the better.
Places to donate
Here’s how you can donate, even if you don’t have the monetary funds to do so:
Turn off your ad blocker
Watch this hour-long video a Black woman named Zoe Amira posted on YouTube. This video is filled with art and music made by Black creators, and 100% of the ad revenue from the video will be donated to various BLM organizations. Be sure to not skip ads.
A Compilation of Various Posts Addressing the Movement
Linked here is a compilation of various Instagram posts that help to educate individuals about the Black Lives Matter Movement. It addresses white privilege, utilizing privilege to help the movement, issues surrounding performative activism, and many other topics related to BLM.
Until next time we connect,
-TEDxUTAustin