The Goals of the Black Lives Matter Movement and Its Importance for Young People

Today, there are various social issues that concern people of my age. The issue that, in my opinion, stands out the most is the Black Lives Matter Movement. Even though it is not confined to just one age group, it has an even bigger impact on young adults. The way it began and its impact through social media lead to the concern of our generation., which is the lingering thought of “Will I be next?”. Black Lives Matter is an international activist movement, originating in the African American community, that campaigns against violence and systematic racism toward black people. It is a tactic to re-build the Black liberation movement. Every day the movement opens one’s eyes to the power-abusing tactics that are killing our African-American people. Although systematic racism has been going on for many years, it has never been broadcasted this openly.

The mechanism most familiar to our generation is what makes the movement more concerning. What is it you ask? Social Media. It all began with a hashtag. In the summer of 2013, the unhinged murder of Trayvon Martin was shocking, angering, and heart-breaking to the African-American community. After George Zimmerman was acquitted for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, the hashtag (#BlackLivesMatter) went viral. Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi are the three black community organizers who co-founded the movement through Twitter.

Throughout the progression of the movement, many preventable deaths of minority races occurred. Arrogant protestors oppose to the movement and argue that it exists simply because African-Americans are angered by other African-Americans being killed. This is true; however, the true issue is more so of there being no convictions for those who have committed the crime of killing innocent people. Also, because there have been absolutely no convictions for those who have committed these crimes. Older generations argue that social media is the problem, which is true to a certain extent. However, it can just as much be the solution. The movement truly works toward bringing those who have perpetrated these murders to justice. When it has truly ceased, the thought of “Will I be next?” will no longer linger in the minds of my generation.