WiNK

We must keep fighting for black lives.

By: Carolina Rafael

The Black Lives Matter movement is known globally & politically as a social movement for fighting racism & police brutality against black people.

The BLM movement started in 2013 as a hashtag on social media. This was following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting of 17 year old Trayvon Martin, an African American in the United States.

Recently, the BLM movement gained both local & international attention with the murder of George Floyd, an African American, on May 25th, 2020 by police officer Derek Chauvin. His death sparked protests across the nation that rocked major cities and persisted during the pandemic.

According to Scott Loken of Loken Historic Preservation, "The problem of modern racism is an important discussion to be had; racial tensions seem to be getting more heated as Black Communities nationwide are increasingly falling victim to many forms of oppression. The frustration mounts up, especially since officers of the law who are supposed to protect and to serve are the ones committing the worst acts against Black civilians; and more often than not, young Black citizens."

Countless videos displaying police brutality across the country have been widespread on social media. Several petitions were posted to aid victims of police brutality, and worldwide social media had a "blackout day" where only black screens were posted to raise awareness, which instead of helping it only flooded an important #: #BLM.

However, after a few months, postings began to ease up, and even though these instances are still happening, they are not receiving as much attention as they should be. "Just as the guilty verdict was about to be read in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, police in Ohio shot and killed 16-year-old African American Ma'Khia Bryant in broad daylight during a confrontation," (Associated Press, 2021).

Several other unlawful killings, including Daunte Wright, Rayshard Brooks, Daniel Prude, Breonna Taylor & Atatiana Jefferson are just a handful of innocent victims who the system failed to protect. These people are reasons we must keep fighting with the BLM movement.

Standing with Black Lives Matter is a stance to protect human rights, and spark a global change that will reorder society where minorities are free from systematic dehumanization because of race or other factors.

Black Lives Matter gives a massive voice to those forcefully silenced and it is taking action to protect those whom the system continues to oppress.

• Sources
  https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/even-after-floyd...
• https://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/2020/know-th...