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.

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.

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.