Written By: Syrine Ben Ayed and Harini Manda
The BLM movement has made a mark on America’s consciousness. From hashtag to movement, this motion has garnered widespread awareness in the community; yet, numerous know close to nothing about its origins. In July 2013, the action began with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter on social media following the release of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of African-American teen Trayvon Martin, months earlier, in February 2012. #Blacklivesmatter rapidly evolved to a decentralized movement in the United States advocating for non-violent civil disobedience in protest against police brutality incidents and all racially motivated violence against African-Americans. Part viral social occurrence, part civil rights movement, Black Lives Matter emphasizes common themes from previous civil liberties.
On May 25, 2020, the death of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer caused the United States to thrust into an uncomfortable light. Around the world, people have taken to the streets to decry American racism. About a month ago, protestors in Milan sat with their hands around their necks in front of “I can’t breathe” signs, reciting Floyd’s final words. Today, big, bold-yellow letters displaying “Black Lives Matter” are painted across the main street leading up to the White House in Washington, D.C. The D.C democratic mayor had taken action and renamed the street “Black Lives Matter Plaza.” In disapproval of the mayor's actions, BlackLivesMatter D.C recently tweeted, “This is performative and a distraction from her active counter organizing to our demands to decrease the police budget and invest in the community. Black Lives Matter means Defund the police.” The need for racial equity in America has taken up the bulk of the nation’s headspace. Will the Black Lives Matter movement shift its social and cultural power into political power?
The BLM movement has sparked an interest in some voters. In the first two weeks of June, “Rock the Vote” registered 150,000 new voters, the highest tally of any two weeks in the 2020 election cycle. Our nation yearns for a leader who considers equality among all - no matter what race or ethnicity. How will the average number of voters in the 2020 election compare to that of previous elections?
As the need for racial equity in America has taken up the bulk of the nation’s headspace, it is clear that whether or not one gets voted lies on their partnership with #BlackLivesMatter. “You cannot win the election without the enthusiastic support of Black voters, and how you act in this moment of crisis will play a big role in determining how Black voters and all voters concerned with racial justice respond to your candidacy...A return to normalcy will not suffice,” affirms a letter signed by 50 liberal groups.
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