“Black Lives Matter: Why This Movement Matters and Ways We Can Help.”

What is this About?

It is crucial to invest utilizing our voices to inform the world and become progressively mindful of issues that are crucial to our society today. Not only are we facing a pandemic and health crisis, but we are witnessing the harsh reality that black Americans/individuals are and have been facing for a very long time. Everyone deserves equality and justice, period. There should be no doubt about that. However; we are presently observing many individuals who are taking to the streets to march and protest for rights and freedoms that they deserve. There shouldn’t be any labels put on people. There shouldn’t be a price tag attached to being black. And the price to pay should not be their lives. Many are furious, baffled, and disappointed with the way that their voices may not be heard. That they may be the next target of police brutality and injustice.

That they might be the next George Floyd, or Breonna Taylor, or Ahmaud Arbury, or one of many more innocent black Americans who lost their lives to injustice. Many black Americans are fearing their lives more than ever for wearing their skin. No one should have to fear their life for the way they are, or the way they dress, or the way they look. People should not fear their lives for being themselves, for being human beings. It is important to take action to speak up for minorities in situations of injustice or police brutality. We should not tolerate the mistreatment of anyone when they have done no wrong.

If Black Lives Only Matters, Does that Mean I do Not Matter?

Here is the common misconception about the Black Lives Matter movement and what we need to clarify. Stating that black lives matter does not mean that any other life is less valued, or that any other life does not deserve to be heard and supported. Stating that black lives matter means that we are finally recognizing that there is still systemic racism and oppression towards black Americans or any black individual around the world. Stating that black lives matter finally opens doors to conversations that should have been discussed a very long time. It finally opens doors to recognizing that advocating and fighting for blacks is still an undergoing process when many believed that racism has been erased.

There has been a great example concerning this issue that is circulating the media. From Instagram, to Twitter, to Tik Tok; this example is becoming a way for the people that have been blinded by ignorance to understand it more easily. The example was something along the lines of if someones house was on fire in a neighborhood, will you go around to every home because they matter or will you go to the house that is actually on fire and prioritize that first. This is a great example as it shows why prioritizing issues and topics over others become crucial to sustaining justice and peace.

The Latest on The Black Lives Matter Movement

The “black lives matter movement” is a global human rights movement originating in the African-American community that campaigns against violence and systemic racism and bigotry towards black individuals. This movement advocates for peace and justice for black Americans against any prejudice and systemic oppression. There are many different organizations that are additionally bringing their part into bringing issues to light. For instance, the NAACP or the “National Association for the Advancement of Colored People” which is a movement that was created in 1909 that additionally advocates for propelling justice for African-Americans. Many other organizations are likewise partaking in raising the voices of minorities and battling for the rights they deserve.

What Can You Do to Help?

The usage of social media has impacted how much information can be sent out to a number of people around the globe in a short period of time. Individuals are taking their part into utilizing their social media platforms to bring awareness to this movement and share methods of partaking in this movement. Many trending hashtags concerning this issue on twitter and Instagram include #BlackLivesMatter, #BLM, #ICantBreathe, and #WorldAgainstRacism. Many of us can take their part in utilizing these tags to spread awareness and methods to battle prejudice against a group of people.

Many are using these tags to spread ways to help and to partake in this movement. Things such as signing petitions, making donations to groups or important movements to fight for the cause, and most importantly to recognize that this is a very important movement today, because it opens uncomfortable conversations that we should have been having to make a change in our society today.

Here is a List of Things You Can do to Help:

. Discuss these topics with your families and communities

. Educate yourself and read up on what it means to be anti-racist

. Use your platform! No matter how big or small. Screenshot, share, and re-post resources to educate those around you

. Continue to donate to fund and support initiatives you care about if you have the means.

Here is a List of Questions to Ask Yourself:

. How do you plan on helping the fight to end racial discrimination and systmatic oppression?

. How can you Use anti-racist knowledge to change and progress conversations with friends, family, colleagues and peers?

. What are your local politicians policy on ending police brutality?

. How are you going to stand up for any injustice or racism that you witness?

. How will you use your voice to speak up for those who cannot?

. How can you stop this issue from becoming a trend? How can it become something important to always open mindedly discuss amongst colleagues, friends, or family?

Sources to Follow, webpages to donate to, and webpages to sign important petitions

Here is a list of some Instagram accounts that should be followed:

. @naacp

. @colorofchange

. @blklivesmatter

. @southasians4blacklives

. @showingupforracialjustice

Here is a list of some organizations to donate to:

.George Floyd Memorial Fund

. Black Lives Matter [direct link: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ ]

. Bail Project

. National Bail Fund Network

. Justice for Breonna

Here is a list of some petitions to sign:

. Justice For George Floyd [change.org]

. Colors of Change, #JusticeForFloyd

. Justice for Breonna Taylor [change.org]

. Justice for Ahmaud Arbery [change.org]

. Banning the Use of Rubber Bullets for Crowd Control [change.org]

Be the reason someone feels seen, heard, and supported!

Source: HonorSociety.org Member Articles
“Black Lives Matter: Why This Movement Matters and Ways We Can Help.”