When was Black Lives Matter Founded?

Black Lives Matter was founded in the United States in 2013, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for racial equality and justice.

Highlight: The movement was created in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed Black teenager.

The Black Lives Matter gründungsanlass (founding occasion) was a reaction to this controversial court decision, which sparked outrage and highlighted the persistent issues of racial profiling and violence against Black individuals in America.

Definition: Acquittal refers to a judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime with which they have been charged.

The movement was founded by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, three Black community organizers who were deeply affected by the Zimmerman verdict. Their initial hashtag #BlackLivesMatter on social media quickly evolved into a larger movement and organization.

Vocabulary: Gründerin (feminine) or Gründer (masculine) means "founder" in German.

What is Black Lives Matter?

Black Lives Matter is an international movement dedicated to fighting for equality and against police brutality and racism. The organization connects people from all over the world who share the common goal of combating racial injustice.

Definition: Black Lives Matter is a decentralized political and social movement that seeks to highlight racism, discrimination, and racial inequality experienced by black people.

The movement's primary focus is on addressing systemic racism and violence against Black communities, particularly in the context of law enforcement. It aims to bring about significant social and political changes to create a more just and equitable society for Black individuals.

Highlight: The movement's name, "Black Lives Matter," is not meant to suggest that other lives don't matter, but rather to emphasize the specific challenges and discrimination faced by Black people in society.

History of Black Lives Matter

The history of Black Lives Matter is marked by rapid growth and increasing influence since its inception. The movement's first protest was relatively small, with only about 30 people participating. However, it quickly gained national attention and momentum.

Example: The early protests often used slogans like "Hands up, don't shoot," which became a rallying cry after the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014.

As the movement grew, the protests reached a new dimension in terms of scale and impact. Black Lives Matter became a powerful force in shaping public discourse around racial justice and police reform in the United States and beyond.

Quote: "Equality is a right, it doesn't deserve credit" - This statement, often seen on protest signs, encapsulates the movement's core belief that equality should be a given, not something exceptional.

The movement has utilized various symbols and gestures to convey its message. The raised fist, for instance, has become one of the prominent black lives matter symbole/gesten (symbols/gestures), representing solidarity and resistance.