Content Overview

This page outlines the structure of the presentation, covering key aspects of the Black Lives Matter movement:

1. George Floyd
2. What is Black Lives Matter
3. The Beginning
4. How it continued...
5. Protests in the US and around the world
6. Goals of the movement
7. Consequences
8. Sources

This comprehensive outline provides a roadmap for understanding the movement's origins, development, and impact.

Highlight: The content structure demonstrates the presentation's intention to provide a thorough examination of the Black Lives Matter movement, from its catalyst events to its global consequences.

George Floyd: His Story

This page details the events surrounding George Floyd's death, which became a catalyst for the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.

George Floyd was a 46-year-old African-American man with a history of minor criminal offenses. On May 25th, 2020, he was arrested in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill. During the arrest, police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds, resulting in Floyd's death. Floyd's repeated plea, "I can't breathe," became a rallying cry for the movement.

Quote: "I can't breathe"

Highlight: The details of George Floyd's death, particularly the duration of the officer's use of force, underscore the severity of police brutality that the Black Lives Matter movement seeks to address.

What is Black Lives Matter?

This page provides an overview of the Black Lives Matter movement's origins and structure.

Black Lives Matter was founded in 2013 by three Black community organizers in the United States: Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi. The movement is dedicated to fighting racism and anti-Black violence. It began as an online movement with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter and has since evolved into an international social movement. The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation serves as the organizational structure for the movement.

Vocabulary: Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation - The official organization that oversees and coordinates Black Lives Matter activities and initiatives globally.

Highlight: The movement's transition from an online hashtag to a global organization demonstrates its significant growth and impact.

The Beginning

This page traces the origins of the Black Lives Matter movement to the shooting of Trayvon Martin in February 2012.

George Zimmerman, a white man, shot and killed Trayvon Martin, a Black teenager, claiming self-defense. The incident gained national attention and sparked demonstrations across the United States. In April 2012, Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder but was acquitted in July 2013. This acquittal led to the creation of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Example: The Trayvon Martin case exemplifies the racial injustices that the Black Lives Matter movement seeks to address, particularly in the criminal justice system.

Highlight: The acquittal of George Zimmerman served as a catalyst for the formation of the Black Lives Matter movement, highlighting the need for organized action against racial injustice.

How it continued...

This page outlines the events that fueled the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement following its inception.

In 2014, two high-profile deaths of African-Americans due to police brutality further galvanized the movement:

1. Eric Garner died from an illegal chokehold applied by police.
2. Michael Brown was shot and killed by a police officer.

The death of George Floyd in 2020 brought international attention to racism in American society, with the hashtags #blacklivesmatter and #blm going viral. In 2021, Derek Chauvin, the officer responsible for Floyd's death, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Highlight: The series of high-profile deaths of Black individuals at the hands of police demonstrates the ongoing nature of the issues that the Black Lives Matter movement addresses.

Systemic Inequality in the Justice System

This page illustrates the disparities in the American justice system through contrasting examples:

1. George Floyd: Suspected of forgery, killed by police.
2. Dylann Roof: Murdered 9 people, arrested peacefully.
3. Allen Russell: Arrested for possessing 1.5 ounces of marijuana, sentenced to life in prison.
4. Derek Chauvin: Murdered a man in broad daylight, sentenced to 22 years.

Example: These cases highlight the stark differences in how the justice system treats individuals based on race and the nature of their alleged crimes.

Highlight: The contrasting outcomes in these cases underscore the systemic racism that the Black Lives Matter movement seeks to address within the criminal justice system.

Protests in the United States

This page details the widespread protests that occurred in response to George Floyd's death and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Protests began in Minneapolis on May 26, 2020, and quickly spread across the United States. More than 4,700 demonstrations took place, with the movement peaking on June 6 when 500 protests occurred on a single day. While many protests were peaceful, some turned into riots. The Black Lives Matter sign became a symbol of solidarity during these demonstrations.

Highlight: The scale and intensity of the protests following George Floyd's death demonstrate the widespread support for the Black Lives Matter movement and the urgency of its message.

Black Lives Matter Protests all over the world in 2020

This page likely contains a video or visual representation of global Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, demonstrating the movement's international reach and impact.

Highlight: The global spread of Black Lives Matter protests illustrates the universal resonance of the movement's message against racial injustice.

Goals of the movement

This page outlines the primary objectives of the Black Lives Matter movement:

1. Spreading awareness of the unequal treatment of Black people in society
2. Fighting against:
   • Racism and police brutality
   • Excessive policing of minority neighborhoods
   • Abuses in for-profit jails
3. Engaging in political actions, letter-writing campaigns, and non-violent protests
4. Advocating for "defunding" the police

The movement encourages various forms of engagement, including empathy, recognizing privilege, getting informed, and giving back to the community.

Vocabulary: Defunding the police - A policy proposal to reallocate funds from police departments to other areas of government, such as education, public health, and community development.

Highlight: The diverse goals of the Black Lives Matter movement reflect its comprehensive approach to addressing systemic racism and promoting social justice.

Consequences

This page discusses the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement and the reactions it has generated:

Supporters:

• African-Americans and other minorities
• Less than 50 percent white people
• Majority of Democrats
• A few Republicans

Critics:

• Those who believe systemic racism does not exist
• Those who claim BLM encourages violence against the police
• Supporters of counter-movements like Blue Lives Matter and White/All Lives Matter

Vocabulary: Blue Lives Matter - A counter-movement that supports law enforcement officers.

Highlight: The diverse range of supporters and critics of the Black Lives Matter movement reflects the complex and often polarized nature of discussions around race and policing in society.