Introduction
In recent times, social movements have become widespread across the globe, aiming to achieve a particular goal or bring about social change. This essay will examine the current social movement known as the Black Lives Matter Movement (BLM), a contemporary example of a collective action movement that leverages direct action, civil disobedience, and social media to challenge systemic racism and inequality.
Black Lives Matter Movement
History
The BLM is a social movement that advocates for racial justice and stands against police brutality in the United States. The movement emerged following the acquittal of George Zimmerman, who killed Trayvon Martin in 2013 (Campbell, 2021). The movement gained momentum after the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner at the hands of police officers. It has now become a global phenomenon, spreading to several other countries.
Goals
The BLM is a civil rights movement that aims to bring attention to the disproportionate rate at which African Americans are killed by law enforcement or are subjected to systemic racism. The social movement theory that best describes the Black Lives Matter movement is the resource mobilization theory (Mundt et al., 2018). The movement relies on its ability to mobilize resources, both online and in-person, to achieve its goals.
The main goal of the movement is to end police brutality and racial injustice towards people of color. It aims to bring attention to the issue and enforce systemic change in law enforcement and government policies (Campbell, 2021). The movement’s primary tactics include peaceful protests, direct action, and social media awareness campaigns.
Current Achievements
The movement has achieved several successes, including the increased involvement of communities of color in politics and advocacy. However, its success in bringing about systemic change is yet to be fully realized, as racial disparities in law enforcement and social justice remain prevalent in modern society (Clayton, 2018). Despite this, the BLM has succeeded in bringing racial injustice to the forefront of political and social discourse.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Black Lives Matter is a social movement that has effectively brought to light the realities of systemic racism and racial injustice in modern society. It has been successful in raising awareness and mobilizing people of color to fight for justice. Its ongoing fight serves as a reminder that social change requires resilience and continued effort.
References
Campbell, A. (2021). What is Black Lives Matter and what are the aims?BBC. Web.
Clayton, D. M. (2018). Black Lives Matter and the Civil Rights Movement: A comparative Analysis of two social movements in the United States. Journal of Black Studies, 49(5), 448–480. Web.
Mundt, M., Ross, K., & Burnett, C. M. (2018). Scaling social movements through social media: The case of Black Lives Matter. Social Media + Society, 1–14.