Black Lives Matter: The Importance Of Black Lives Matter

Why “Black Lives Matter” Matters

Watching the new in the last 4 years, one will see that racial tension in America is rising. As of 2016, in America four black men are killed by police for every white man of the same cause, when population is taken into account (NPR). The rise in awareness about police brutality has lead to the formation of movements against it. The most well-known of these is Black Lives Matter, a group whose goal is to improve the lives of black people in America. This organization sparked the creation of two other groups; All Lives Matter (ALM), who believe that Black Lives Matter (BLM) doesn’t stand for complete equality, and Blue Lives Matter, who support police officers. Black Lives Matter is the best of the three because

Black Lives Matter does use peaceful protest techniques and it is important to remember that there will be extremists in any movement. Black Lives Matter has gradually been getting more refined as the movement matures. This was noted in recent Washington Post article by Janell Ross and Wesley Lowery. They spoke to BLM co-founder Alicia Garza who said, “ a lot of people are channeling their energy into organizing locally” and “there are less demonstrations.” It’s a step in the right to direction to see people in the movement being focused on realistic change instead of just marching to show that they are angry. The young black people involved in the movement also know that when they are protesting it is not just for African American grievances but for those of all minorities. As sixties activist Ella Baker says “Remember, we are not fighting for the freedom of the Negro alone, but for the freedom of the human spirit a larger freedom that encompasses all.” (Opal Tometi and Gerald Lenoir). Modern protester with this mindset they are be more accepted by the average American. This spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood characterizes the competorary Black Lives Matter