Social Movements

Question 1

Why is the Black Lives Matter Movement an example of Transformative change?

Answer 1

Transformative change is significant societal change that happens quickly and at all levels of society. The Black Lives Matter movement has resulted in clear transformative change, as its results have been sudden, large-scale, and permanent. It has led to legal consequences for police officers involved in the murders of Black people, larger pushes to “defund the police”, and an increase in awareness of race issues worldwide.

Question 2

How has the Black Lives Matter movement used technology to create social change?

Answer 2

• The BLM movement was largely spread through social media – “#BLM”.
• As a large part of this social movement has been raising awareness of institutional racism and police brutality, the ability to spread a message widely and clearly has been instrumental to its successes.
• The fact that average citizens are now able to begin recording anything at any time has been significant to this movement. Recordings have both led to consequences for the actions of police officers and acted as undeniable evidence of police brutality that helped raise awareness and grow the movement.

Question 3

How did the Slutwalk movement begin?

Answer 3

• Toronto police officer Michael Sanguinetti: “I’ve been told I’m not supposed to say this – however, women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised.”
• This acted as the catalyst for a movement pushing back against rape culture and victim-blaming,
• Founded by Sonya Barnett and Heather Jarvis.
• The first actual “SlutWalk” occurred in Toronto on the third of April 2011, and was far larger than its organisers expected.
• Support for its cause had been building already, and was ready to be directed somewhere.
• This first walk got a lot of coverage on the news and social media, and soon similar events were being organised worldwide.

Question 4

What was the goal of Slutwalk?

Answer 4

• Founder Sonya Barnett stated the movement’s goal was “[for] Police Services to truly get behind the idea that victim-blaming, slut-shaming, and sexual profiling are never acceptable.”
• In order to achieve this, she said, “training needs to be reevaluated within their institution and community initiatives need to be created for the general public.” .
• As its name suggests, one of the major goals of SlutWalk has also been to reclaim “slut” as a neutral or even positive descriptor, in order to rob the term of its power to oppress.
• The movement has recently been broadening to a wider focus on pushing back against gender inequality and discrimination, and encouraging sex-positivity.

Question 5

What were the impacts of SlutWalk on society?

Answer 5

• The mission to reclaim the term “slut”, despite its controversial nature, has seen results, although opposition has been present not only from anti-feminist groups, but also from feminist activists
• The more institutional changes the walks pushed for have also been seen in some areas, even though they are certainly far from universal. For instance, in 2014, the New Orleans police department promised to look into possibly mishandled claims of sexual assault after increased awareness and pressure forced an internal review
• There is still a long way to go, but another long-term impact these walks have had is setting a precedent and creating a template for further political action.