Black Lives Matter
Black History Month, day 17
Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a decentralized political and social movement protesting against incidents of police brutality and all racially motivated violence against Black people. BLM began in July 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of African-American teen Trayvon Martin 17 months earlier in February 2012. An estimated 15 million to 26 million people participated in the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in the United States, making it one of the largest movements in the country’s history. The movement — as described by its co-founders by Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi, and Alicia Garza — is an affirmation and embrace of the resistance and resilience of Black people.
This month BLM’s Executive Director, Patrisse Cullors, writes:
“From the time historian Carter Woodson created Negro History Week in 1926 up through today’s celebration of Black History Month, the goal has always been to recognize Black Americans’ prolific contributions that had been ignored, dismissed, or diminished in textbooks and popular culture.”
“The point is to highlight the pivotal role we play in this country’s advancement — from science, math, politics, literature, arts and more — and convey that our influence on every aspect of society and culture has been greater than what we were taught in history classes.”
“The spirit of Black History Month goes beyond achievement. It is also about remembering and demonstrating that our lives and contributions are creative, industrious, transformative and joyful. Given the traumas of [2020], it’s important to call out that our experience is about more than the deaths we protest and the pain we hope to heal. Black life is so much more than that. We are not only triumphant and resilient, we deserve to be celebrated and valued. Our minds, our bodies, and our spirits are worthy of real investment.”
The Black Lives Matter movement has been nominated for the 2021 Nobel peace prize for the way its call for systemic change has spread around the world. (Adapted from: Black Lives Matter, Wikipedia)
