Student RP Sample A_BLM

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Sherlisa Mckay rd​ Student A: English 3​Sample . #BlackLivesMatter

5/5/16 Research paper Taking Back What Was Stolen: A Breakdown of Black Lives Matter’s Quest to be Liberated Racial injustice among multitudes of human societies has been a major contention throughout history dating back hundreds of years ago. The recent displays of police brutality and killings of African Americans in the United States of America have given voice to the congenial cries for equality in the black community. Stemming from the 2013 trial that acquitted George Zimmerman for having shot and killed African American teen Trayvon Martin, the issue of racial injustice has blossomed into an international controversy led by the organization denominated as Black Lives Matter (Mineo). “They say it is about much more than each individual death of an African­ American man or woman, it is about what it means to be black in America” (Sider, Simon). Regardless of its popular voice and effects on society, supporters of the movement think it requires more lucid motives and focused goals (Eligon). In order to effectively comprehend the Black Lives Matter movement’s intentions to eradicate injustice and inequality directed towards the African American community, it is imperative to become acquainted with some of the activity orchestrated in social media, politics, and communities that aim to effectuate change.

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Technology has developed significantly since the era where the Pony Express dominated the transfer of information and messages. Cellular devices and the internet has revolutionized communication by way of email, phone calls, and most popularly, social media. Social Media became the leading voice in civil debates and protest for the hashtag Black Lives Matter “when Alicia Garza, a California­based activist used it in a facebook post” (Eligon) to express her indignation with racial induced police brutality. Websites such as Facebook and Twitter enable its users “to reach a wider audience” (Petterson) instantaneously, making it a more efficient means to spread the “growing movement for racial justice taking hold across the country” (Mineo). Activist who radically use social media as a source to implement change in the justice system have “transformed local incidents ­such as the shooting of Michael Brown by police officer in Ferguson, Missouri­ into national stories” (Petterson). Awareness for the demand of African Americans’ civil rights to be respected and protected has been essentially suffused under the Black Lives Matter mandate through the usage of social media.

African Americans have been subjected to various stages of oppression throughout history including slavery and discrimination under a government that refuses to recognize racial equality among its citizens. Though the Black Lives Matter movement initially took place online, there is a constant struggle for the black community to gain leverage in politics. Efforts to implement political participation include disturbances in “ numerous Democratic presidential campaign events” by “ local affiliates of the Black Lives Matter organization” (Eligon).These groups strive to recruit candidates in opposition to laws that condone “mass incarceration and police brutality” (Eligon). Organizations such as Campaign Zero, whose ultimate goal is to terminate police violence, are calling for Town Hall Forums where ideas and views on racial

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injustice of common citizens can be expressed and addressed (Eligon). Other supporters of the Black Lives Matter Movement are taking a more monetary route by fundraising to support “voter education, in races for law enforcement­related offices, including for district attorney and judgeships” (Eligon). These political endeavors are defining the movement’s determination and its refusal to be deterred from its purpose.

In order to effectuate change in a seemingly incorrigible society protestors have to work beyond social media and politics and go into the community to address the root of the problem.

Although “Violence against black lives began when slave ships brought black people to America”(Mineo), and has striped us of our liberal prerogative as human beings and U.S citizens, the connection between the eradication of police brutality and racial injustice lies within the expulsion of poverty. Poverty causes a great majority of the crime in the black community due to the need to survive, for example a teen struggling to keep food on his family’s table might opt to steal what is needed, but it is most certainly not condoned. Concerning the issue of poverty, “Black Lives Matter activist are demanding that public funding be used for anti­ poverty programs that could drive down crime” such as “ youth summer jobs, transit access for low­income and school social workers and teachers” (Eligon). Such measures have the potential to decrease the crime rate, thus lessening the necessity of police assistance. Other efforts to extract the reoccurrence of police brutality are provisions for a civilian complaints office and increased African American community representation within the United States police force (Mathews). The civilian complaints office would allow community inhabitants to participate in the local justice system by determining “culpability and punishments along with the police

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department” (Mathews). Request for representative officers who better correspond and relate to the communities’ needs would elevate the Black Lives Matter movement’s initiative.

Racial injustice resonating from inequality and discrimination has been a significant aspect in the United States History; however, recently neither has been accepted as the status quo. After numerous unjust enactments and public showings of police brutality against African Americans, the Black Lives Matter movement has risen to become a national protest for change. American Activist of the movement have utilized their resources of social media communication and political support to alter the social foundation on which the country is built upon. From “lobbying candidates and elected officials on legislative issues” (Eligon) to providing assistance in order to end poverty and compress crime in communities, Black Lives Matter has proved itself a force to be reckoned with. “It has changed the way people talk about police brutality and inequality” (Sider, Simon). Though it may not appear to be crystal clear, change and racial justice among American society is a translucent sight to behold with the Black Lives Matter movement and organizations leading the way.

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Works Cited Eligon, John. “One Slogan, Many Methods: Black Lives Matter Enters Politics.” ​International New York Times. ​The New York Times, 18 November 2015.web. 4 April 2016 Mathews, Kevin.“Ten Policy Solutions Suggested by the Movement for Black Lives.” ​Truthout..

Care 2 Causes, 24 August 2015. web. 17 April 2016 Mineo, Liz. “Background on Black Lives Matter.” ​Howard Gazette. ​National World Affairs, 13 August 2015. web. 21 April 2016 Patterson. Brandon, “ Black lives Matter Is Killing It on Twitter.” ​Mother Jones. ​Mother Jones, 3 March 2016. web. 17 April 2016 Sidner, Sara, Simon, Mallory. “ The rise of Black Lives Matter: Trying to Break the cycle of the violence and silence.” ​CNN​, CNN. 28 December 2015 . web.17 April 2016