Black Lives Matter Movement: Social Movements In The Media

Social Movements in the Media

The Black Lives Matter movement has sparked nation wide in 2012 and has become one of the most controversial discussions in today’s society. After the murder of 17 year old Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman was acquitted for his crime. Zimmerman pleaded self defense, however, during the night of the attack, Zimmerman proceeded to follow Trayvon despite the police telling him not to. From thereafter, a clear divide has been created between individuals who supported Zimmerman’s attack, and those who felt that Trayvon’s murder exhibited a deeper deprivation in America’s governmental system, an oppression against black people. Black Lives matter “is a call to action and a response to the virulent anti-Black racism

that permeates our society…it is a unique contribution that goes beyond extrajudicial killings of Black people by police and vigilantes” (Black Lives Matter). Since 2012, the movement has taken forms in protests (silent or active), riots, marches, and discussions. The media has strategically followed all activities and contributions to this movement, trying to persuade their audience members to choose their favored side of the argument. Depending on the news outlet, some try to express their rejection of the movement by showing how only violence resulted, while other outlets express the positive outcomes of its contribution to society. Their way of directing the information to the public makes room for bigger debate in society, at times causing confusion and ultimately a deeper divide between the races in society.
While news outlets claim to be strictly unbiased, they have specific skills pertaining to the delivery of their messages that help support their position in an issue.

Fox News is considered one of the top news outlets in America. By providing a primary source of evidence in their news pieces, they are able to appeal to the audience on a personal level. Regarding the Black Lives Matter Movement, Fox News publicized a video with the title, “Black police officer suing Black Lives Matter Movement” (Fox News). Throughout the video, it becomes evident that Fox sides with the idea that the Black Lives Matter movement is problematic and overly addressed in society. Fox News intentionally placed the subject, “Black police officer” into the title so black individuals can gravitate as their audience and to promote the idea that not all blacks believe there is systematic oppression in America. The second step to persuading the attracted audience was by providing factual evidence. In the video, a protest was clipped in of protesters chanting “What do we want? Dead cops. When do we want it? Now” (Fox News). This makes the Black Lives Matter Movement appear in a violent manner. However, media outlets purposely pick and choose specific quotes and video clips in their messages. After one watches this video, they might now believe the Black Lives Matter Movement is truly causing a disruption to society as it is shown promoting death and crime. However, Fox News disregards the fact that all

movements and protests include some sort of deviance. In the video, we only see the individuals who present deviant behavior, but what about those who are chanting meaningful messages about equality?
The media clearly has tactics to persuade their audience in a specific light, the problem is, where does one draw the line between what to believe? Does one black cop suing the black lives matter movement diminish the idea of systematic oppression against blacks entirely? Does is justify Fox News’s position that the movement is violent? Fox news even attaches an image of the Black officer covering his mouth with his hand to emphasis then tragedy of the protesting.
When one is unsure about the reliably of a source, it is most appropriate to validate the information through other sources.

These other sources will often refute the messages and ideals that are stated in certain news outlets. In time.com, Richard Cohen addresses the negatively portrayed messages like those emphasized in Fox News, and then offers another claim which ultimately makes them look more better. Cohen writes, “There’s no doubt that some protesters who claim the mantle of Black Lives Matter have said offensive things…But before we condemn the entire movement for the words of a few, we should ask ourselves whether we would also condemn the entire Republican Party for the racist words of its presumptive nominee—or for the racist rhetoric of many other politicians in the party over the course of years” (Cohen). Cohen is acknowledging that there are discrepancies in all aspects of our society. He is emphasizing that people only search for evidence that reflects their personal beliefs despite the small amount of perspective that is produced. This quote is also appealing to the underlying racism in our society; one might condemn the entire Black Lives Matter Movement, but not condemn the current president, Donald Trump, for his “racist words”. By offering a contrast between who one condemns, time.com gives their audience the opportunity to reevaluate their original opinion. Donald Trump holds more power than the social movement Black Lives Matter. In this case, the

audience might believe Cohen is accurate in his position supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, because it challenges a high power of authority and its corruption.
Nowadays, there is evidence to prove anything you want to be proven. With growing advancements in technology, it is possible that the internet is creating too much information to for the public to rely on. Writers also are skillful at presenting factual information in a way that makes their position look better. From the examples above, Fox News tries to promote that blacks aren't oppressed by using one black individual as their source. However, time.com refutes their claim by offering a counterargument. We all need to be more cautious of what we take from the internet and we need to search other sources for validation. The Black Lives Matter movement plays a powerful role in the divide of our country today and in order to lessen racial tensions, everyone needs to acknowledge the power of our growing technology abilities.