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Alicia Garza

#BlackLivesMatter - Creating a Movement

For many public intellectuals, their name is synonymous with the work they do. People hear the name J.K. Rowling and immediately know that she is an author. People know that Neil DeGrasse Tyson is a scientist. But for Alicia Garza, things are different. Her name is, at least in the public sphere, not as well-known as other public intellectuals. You may not have heard Garza’s name, but you’ve definitely heard of her movement: Black Lives Matter.

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Black Lives Matter was created back in 2013, after George Zimmerman was acquitted for the murder of Trayvon Martin. Filled with emotion, Garza posted a lengthy message to her Facebook page, which ended with the phrase “Our lives matter.”

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This phrase inspired Garza’s friend, Patrisse Cullors, to create the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter.

And just like that, a movement was born.

 

Since 2013, #BlackLivesMatter has become the “third-biggest ‘social issues’ hashtag in 10 years of the platform” (Hunt). The movement’s reach and power has stretched far beyond what Garza, Cullors, and Opal Tometi (the other founder of the group), first intended.

"Black people.
I love you. I love us.
Our lives matter."
Black Lives Matter is “an affirmation of Black folks’ contributions to this society, our humanity, and our resilience in the face of deadly oppression” (Hunt).

Despite its reach and success, Black Lives Matter has also faced opposition. One article said that what comes “out of Black Lives Matter is rage and anger – justifiable emotions, but questionable strategy” (Reynolds). These same opinions are repeated in the news and all over the internet as people question the purpose and goals of the group. After protests and riots broke out, many of them spearheaded by people holding ‘Black Lives Matter’ signs, the group became even more controversial.

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There are people that have taken the slogan and molded it to fit their lives – something that frustrates Garza. “To feel like something gets taken from you, used, and you’re completely erased from the conversation is infuriating” (King).

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Outreach & Oppression

Black Lives Matter is successful not only because of its message, but also because it was born and cultivated online. It eventually moved into the mainstream media, reaching all parts of the United States and different parts of the globe.

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Looking at Black Lives Matter, it is incredible to see how a movement has given voices to the voiceless - especially within the African American community. People of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations have joined the movement, becoming involved in something bigger than themselves.

Why don’t we know about Alicia Garza? In this case, is it because the BLM movement is more important than who started it? Does it matter who started the movement?

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What are other hashtags or concepts that have become movements?

Questions for Discussion:

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