A knee to the back of the neck. The pressure of an entire body shutting down the airways of another life. A life soon gone. Another white man takes the life of a black man as if it is his right. As if it is anything less than cold-blooded murder.
Black History Month is an annual celebration that usually warrants verbal love and support of the black community but no financial or physical support. Many see what month it is, express appreciation for the African American community, and then pat themselves on the back. Rarely do they remember to donate, reach out to local politicians on current issues, join movements for the black community, or publicly advocate for different issues the community is facing. The tragic, unjust death of George Floyd changed the dynamic. No longer was the majority of the United States silent on the very real issues that the African American community was facing. The streets were flooded. People were marching with signs demanding for justice, only to be met with tear gas. Social media was blown up with advocacy and demands for change. The world was turned upside down. Some violence had ensued, and the people were fighting for a voice.
Violence is not the ideal solution. Of course suggested first is communication, but when the people aren’t being listened to, to the streets they go. Violence for vengeance is unproductive. The Birth of a Nation (1915) is criticized for inaccurately depicting freedmen engaging in vengeful sexual violence against white women. When citizens protest in the streets only to be met with violence and not open ears, returning fire is the only solution left, if only to attract attention from officials. When met with pellets and tear gas, in return fires and destroyed buildings were gifted. However, this was only in dire situations by extremists. This gained attention and started conversations. The overall movement was overwhelmingly peaceful by the protestors because they knew that violence was not the answer, but sometimes violence is needed to start the journey towards justice.
Black Lives Matter movement fought hard for a voice. Protestors remained dignified and peaceful in their protests, rarely returning violence when they were met with violence. However, what made headlines, especially of conservative news outlets, was the select group of protestors (or those posing as such) that reacted violently in the streets. This created exposure for the movement and started the discussion. People gained strong opinions for or against the movement and it only grew overtime, demanding changes and a voice. Although violence is never the answer, it can open doors that peaceful protesting no longer can.
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