The Crisis: The Power Of Black Lives Matter By Darryl Lorenzo Wellington

The Power of Attention

In the 1960s and 1970s the South was deeply divided and full of tension over public integration. Darryl Lorenzo Wellington, a distinguished social critic today, has experienced these social tensions and he uses this exposure to help him write on these issues. In January of 2015, Wellington published The Crisis which contains a well known essay called “The Power of Black Lives Matter”. In this essay Wellington addresses the growing problem of systematical racism and how Black Americans are and should be fighting it. It is Wellington’s belief that the movement Black Lives Matter draws attention to systemic racism and is the key to changing our society. Alicia Garza, a founding member of Black Lives Matter, defines the

movement as “an ideological and political intervention in a world where Black lives are systematically and intentionally targeted for demise” (Wellington 8137). Wellington believes the issue of systemic racism is a growing problem in society which is why he is adamant on addressing this uncomfortable issue. In the context of this essay, Wellington talks about systemic racism as fundamental pillars in our society. In the essay “The Power of Black Lives Matter” Darryl Lorenzo Wellington is trying to persuade the readers that Black Lives Matter movement is necessary because it exposes an uncomfortable truth making political movements impossible until it is resolved which I believe is persuasive because to have change hard work must be put in.
In his introduction, Wellington discusses the opportunities America has for change but for that to happen people must recognize that race is the underlying factor that matters because it hurts or destroys lower middle class lives. To help with his argument Wellington ties this issue into the relevant Obama administration displaying ethos and giving the reader a reason to want to read this essay. Tying his essay to this current event brings credibility to his essay and sets up the rest of the essay to be persuasive. Wellington claims Obama brought a time of change, and through the struggles in the Obama administration “fertile ground for the reconstruction and excavation of two perpetual themes in American public and intellectual life” was created (8135).
For change to be achieved though, reconstruction and hardships must be born.

The main theme Wellington believes needs reconstruction is that class trumps race. In the Occupy of Wall Street people were enraged by the differences in class but ignored the pressing issue of systemic racism within the middle class. Wellington believes race is the underlying factor that impacts lives while class creates or diminishes opportunities (8135). For this reason race trumps class because the economic crisis of the middle class cannot be solved without “addressing the structural issues” within the middle class (8136). Wellington uses logos to support the claim that the middle class has structural issues. The examples he gives are “the segregated ghettos and large oasis of socio-economic hopelessness” (8136). The use of evidence and logic in the essay “The Power of Black Lives Matter” is persuasive to the reader because his ideas are clearly expressed. Because people can ignore these major issues while dramatizing the economic status of the upper 99 percent Wellington believes that they are undermining the Occupying of Wall Street movement and stops whatever good could have been achieved. A study was done by Black Americans as to who was discriminated against the most in the 99 percent and the anonymous answer was people of color. Is this a

coincidence?
Even though race does trump class, most people believe we live in a post racial world, thereby proving why the movement Black Lives Matter is necessary. Black Lives Matter was created to draw attention to “systemic racial oppression” and to talk about the ways black people “are deprived of… (their)…basic human rights and dignity” (8137). The failure of the Occupy of Wall Street movement caused blacks to form this movement and draw attention to systemic racism. Along with attention although comes the chance of discrimination. People such as Walter Benn Michael would argue that this movement is not the way to solve racism because attention is only harmful. Attention is potentially harmful because it points out the differences in people, and while that should be something to celebrate, it gives people the chance to take advantage of each other.
The movement Black Lives Matter was also created as a backlash against irrational tragedies.

Wellington points out that police brutality and tragedies such as the murders of Trayvon Martin, Garner, and Mike Brown are proofs that the movement Black Lives Matter is necessary. Wellington used these injustices to invoke pathos and not only calls upon blacks to embrace their identity and culture but also to address the fact that they are being deprived of their human rights. The emotions tied to this issue stir up anger and compassion because it is a fiercely debated topic. The use of pathos makes me personally want to stand up against these injustices and makes the movement Black Lives Matter more credible and thereby necessary in the reader’s

eyes.
The movement Black Lives Matter is a flag that draws attention to systemic racism. The number one way they do that is through social media. Social media is a “primary 21st century tool” and it also forces “people of all races… (to) act in solidarity” while maintaining a coherent whole” (8138). An example Wellington gives of acting in solidarity is the fact that many people have actively changed their profile picture on social media to depict their beliefs in Black Lives Matter movement. This is something each person must actively do. Protests against police brutality in 2014 are another example Wellington gives of activism. Activists presented President Obama with their demands for change. Even though “change is slow” the step of actively trying to change the system was a big step forward in making themselves known (8138).
The implications of the movement Black Lives Matter is attention. The goal of the movement is to draw attention to systemic racism because we sadly do not live in a perfect society and our system is founded upon discrimination. Although this statement is true, Wellington is trying to show the reader that racism can be solved. Because of Wellington’s well structured essay, I was persuaded to believe that the movement Black Lives Matter is a chance for each person to make a difference. If everyone joined in the awareness call or as Shelby Steele would say make an effort, we could find a way to resolve systemic racism. To make progress you must be willing to take chances and struggle through hardships. The truth remains that many people do not realize that racism still thrives today even though it might not be as blatant as segregation or slavery.
In conclusion, Wellington is trying to persuade the reader to actively stand up and take part in the movement Black Lives Matter because it can help stop systemic racism that impacts people’s lives. He wants us to set aside political issues such as the differences between classes until racism has been eradicated from today’s society.