Dewey Clayton "Black Lives Matter and the Civil Rights Movemen"

Question 1

What is Black Lives Matter (BLM)?

Answer 1

BLM is a social movement responding to the killings of unarmed African Americans. It encourages resistance to the dehumanization and devaluation of Black lives.

Question 2

When and how did BLM begin?

Answer 2

While the organization was formed in 2012 following the death of Trayvon Martin, the movement gained national attention after the shooting of Michael Brown in 2014.

Question 3

What are some key issues that BLM addresses?

Answer 3

• Police brutality and abuse of African Americans.
• Systemic racism in various sectors, including the criminal justice system, economic and food systems, housing, and voting rights.

Question 4

What are some tactics used by BLM?

Answer 4

BLM uses nonviolent direct action, like strategies from the civil rights movement, and social media for organization and mobilization. Tactics include:

Marches and protests

Disruptions of traffic and events

“Shut it down” protests

Question 5

What is the leadership structure of BLM like?

Answer 5

BLM has a decentralized and unstructured leadership style, rejecting the hierarchical model of the civil rights movement.

Question 6

How does BLM utilize social media?

Answer 6

BLM uses social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook for:

• Organizing protests in response to police violence
• Raising awareness and expanding its network
• Facilitating grassroots organizing in local communities

Question 7

What are some criticisms faced by BLM

Answer 7

• Critiques about lack of clear goals and leadership

-Criticisms regarding tactics being too militant and confrontational

Question 8

What are some similarities between BLM and the civil rights movement?

Answer 8

• Both emerged from the need to address systemic racism and fight for Black liberation.
• Both have encountered strong resistance from those in power.
• Both used nonviolent direct action as a key strategy for enacting change

Question 9

What are some differences between BLM and the civil rights movement?

Answer 9

• BLM’s focus is more on police brutality against African Americans, while the civil rights movement had a broader focus on racial equality in various areas, including voting rights and desegregation.
• BLM utilizes social media extensively for organization and mobilization, while the civil rights movement relied on more traditional means of communication.
• BLM embraces a decentralized leadership structure, while the civil rights movement had more prominent and centralized leaders.