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Black Life Matters Movement: The Black Lives Matter Movement

Decent Essays

What is Black Lives Matter? Black Lives Matter is a movement founded by Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi, and Alicia Garza. It was created to fight anti-Black Racism, systematic oppression and violence against the Black community.
Some people believe that the Black Lives Matter movement was created to say that White (or other races’) lives do not matter. Since BLM has been created, “All lives matter” has been a response from many. What is it about “Black Lives Matter” that makes people respond with Statement? No one was ever heard saying “all lives matter” before the BLM Movement was created. This shows that the operative word is “Black” and has caused the initial reaction of “Well, they aren’t the only ones that matter!” Despite what many people …show more content…

Recently, BLM has recognized the issue of the North Dakota Access Pipeline. In North Dakota, thousands of Native Americans have protested the pipeline that would cross into their sacred burial grounds and pollute their water. The pipeline would cross into the Missouri River, the main water source for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Along side of the Indigenous protesters is the BLM network. The BLM network has traveled to North Dakota to protest the construction of the pipeline as they understand that not only is this targeting Indigenous people , but the environment as well. Chemicals in the materials used to build these pipelines are also used in water containment and sanitation plants in Black communities like Flint, Michigan, another issue that has yet to be resolved (http://Blacklivesmatter.com/solidarity-with-standing-rock). BLM is in solidarity with the North Dakota Access Pipeline protesters. These protesters are not only fighting for their rights as indigenous people,but fighting for our natural right to access clean …show more content…

Johnson was an Army Reserve Afghan Veteran. Johnson was mad over police killings of Black men and aimed to kill white people, specifically white police officers. The shootout happened after a BLM protest against the killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile (http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/08/us/philando-castile-alton-sterling-protests). The protest happening was a peaceful protest and had no relations to the shooting. It makes sense that people are angry for the injustices that have occurred in the Black community. Nonetheless, a single person’s actions does not represent a community or a movement as a whole. Protesters actually discourage hate towards police

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