On May 29, 2020, protests erupted across San Antonio in response to the murder of George Floyd by four Minneapolis police officers just four days earlier. These protests, ongoing for approximately five weeks before slowing down early July, aim to draw attention to the United States’ issues with police brutality and systemic racism — problems that have existed within in the police force since their founding, in 1838, and two factors that led to the killing of Floyd. Protests surrounding the fight against systemic racism and police brutality have come to be known as Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests.
The Black Lives Matter movement is important to me because my whole life, I have always been passionate about civil rights and making a change. As a Black-Hispanic person, I see how both sides of my family are treated differently from each other,” junior Gabrielle Louhidson said.
“The biggest thing I hope to see (as a result of the protests) is a stronger sense of unity and awareness. For me and many of my friends of color, it has been extremely difficult growing up with all of the hate,” Louhidson said. “Hopefully in the future, kids won’t have to feel the way we need to in school, public, and in life in general.”
The BLM movement was created in response to the contentious acquittal of George Zimmerman — a white man who shot and killed unarmed, black teenager Trayvon Martin on Feb. 26, 2012. This year, the BLM movement has garnered worldwide attention following several viral videos and news stories, which depict the unjust killings of black men and women across the U.S. Notable stories include the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Elijah McClain. Arbery’s case was first dismissed without arrests by a Georgia District Attorney and both Taylor and McClain were killed by police.
“I believe the Black Lives Matter movement is, in a way, waking up America in the sense that more people are becoming educated and aware of our struggles that we have been trying to create change for,” junior Michaella Carter said. “Now that this movement is across the nation, more people are on our side helping us fight this battle.”
In a recent study conducted by The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), over 93% of all BLM associated demonstrations since May 24th have been non-violent. Yet, despite this data, a poll by FiveThirtyEight suggests that 42% of individuals believed protesters were specifically aimed to “incite violence or destroy property”. Louhidson believes the fear of violence and physical harm can be a major factor in a person’s decision to go to a BLM protest or stay at home.
“Maybe it’s just me, but I think so many things can go wrong so fast. Whether it be someone who dedicates their lives to ending the movement, or an officer misinterpreting an action and taking charge,” senior Elisha Salinas said.
Violence is not the only deterrent when it comes to deciding whether or not to protest. The COVID-19 pandemic is still a very real threat for San Antonio residents, with local numbers only recently beginning to decrease. Those who are following CDC guidelines are far less inclined to go out for anything that is not necessary for their health, including BLM protests, and many San Antonio residents fear a spike in cases will come soon, following the opening of public schools such as Harlan.
“Personally, I have not (gone to a protest) due to coronavirus, but I have been doing the best I can to advocate and educate through social media,” Carter said. Salinas added, “I have not (gone to a protest), my family and I have been quarantining regularly since spring break.”
In the midst of the global pandemic and fear of violence towards protesters, it is important to remember that protesting is not the only way to help support the BLM movement. Louhidson, Salinas and Carter all stated that spreading awareness and educating others about the movement are effective ways to combat inequality in our everyday lives.
“The best ways are to donate, support black-owned businesses, and most importantly, educate yourself and have these extremely significant conversations with friends and family,” Louhidson said.
Education about systemic racism in the U.S. and how it affects people of color in our country is the first step to create positive change in our communities. Awareness and public outcry have the ability to create real change, as we have seen with recent legislation like Breonna’s Law.
“The best movies to watch about this topic are The Hate U Give, When They See Us, 13th, Hidden Figures, and any documentary about the history of protests and systemic racism,” Louhidson said.
There are many resources available to help with education on the BLM movement and systemic racism, as well as organizations dedicated to combating racial inequality in the U.S. We have linked resources for those who are interested in learning more about the movement’s history and ways to help below.
Resources:
- How to protest safely while social distancing.
- Black Lives Matter carrd. Contains links to petitions, the history behind the movement and resources for protesters (how to stay safe, where to find protests in your area, etc). Last updated June 25, 2020.
- Black Lives Matter official website. Contains information about the movement’s founding as well as resources for where to donate and how to get involved.
- Color of Change. An organization dedicated to ending racial injustice in the U.S. on a corporate and federal level.
- NAACP San Antonio Branch. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the largest civil rights organization in the U.S., dedicated to eliminating race-based discrimination.