Black Lives Matter: Contemporary Perspectives Essay Example

Movement" in Dissent Magazine, Frederick C. Harris explores the Black Lives Matter movement and its connection to African Americans' struggle for equal rights. The movement centers around the issue of unarmed black individuals being killed by white police officers and the mistreatment of black people in society. The article begins with Tef Poe's personal account, a hip-hop artist who became an activist for Black Lives Matter after witnessing media reports on Michael Brown's death. Subsequently, protests have intensified as a result of Brown's killing and other unjust homicides of innocent black individuals.

The article discusses the power of social media, particularly Twitter, in rapidly spreading information. It focuses on the sharing of images that showcase incidents of police violence and unjust shootings against black individuals. The Black Lives Matter movement is highlighted for its collective leadership approach and its efforts to differentiate itself from the civil rights movement while striving to avoid past mistakes. The author presents objective information without expressing personal emotions. Specific instances such as Eric Garner's death from a chokehold in Staten Island, the police shooting of twelve-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland, Ohio, and Freddie Grey's deteriorating condition during his arrest in Baltimore are provided as examples by the author. These examples demonstrate how factual details are conveyed rather than personal opinions.

"#Black Lives Matter: The Birth of a new Civil Rights Movement was Created" is a news article by Elizabeth Day in The Guardian. It provides information about the emergence of the Black Lives Matter Movement, specifically addressing police shootings against young black individuals and the resulting protests. Additionally, Day investigates the actions taken by law enforcement to quell these demonstrations.

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features information and videos showcasing events related to the movement. These include the arrest of Eric Garner, a 43-year-old man forcefully restrained by a white police officer, as well as footage of a pool party incident involving a 14-year-old black girl being thrown to the ground and restrained by a white officer who also threatened two teenage boys with a gun. The officer was initially suspended but later resigned. The purpose of these various media forms is to shed light on the reasons behind Black Lives Matter and bring attention to the mistreatment of black individuals by white officers. Moreover, it emphasizes that similar incidents occur where innocent black people are killed by white officers without facing significant consequences.

According to Smyangwe’s research, police were responsible for the deaths of at least 1,149 individuals in 2014, with around 26% (304) being black. Black individuals faced a significantly higher risk of being killed by police compared to white individuals, at almost three times the rate. Furthermore, among these black victims, at least 101 were unarmed (Day). This aspect differentiates The Guardian from other news sources as it highlights the number of unarmed African Americans killed by law enforcement. Like the article discussed earlier in Dissent Magazine, The Guardian's coverage remains objective and devoid of personal opinions from the author.

The NBC News video titled "Black Lives Matter: A Look Into The Movement's History | Long Story Short" offers a glimpse into an unconventional method of promoting the Black lives matter movement. It gives a concise introduction to the movement's origins, with emphasis on Trayvon Martin's fatal interaction with a white police officer. Additionally, it underscores how the movement

gained traction following the tragic demise of Michael Brown, further underscoring its significance and impact.

Mayor Bill De Blasio of New York extends his condolences to the family of Eric Garner, expressing on behalf of all New Yorkers his deepest sympathies for their loss ("#Black Lives Matter: A Look"). This act demonstrates Mayor De Blasio's concern regarding the incident, as only a few other senators or mayors addressed Garner's death. Hillary Clinton also supports the movement and asserts that it is imperative to voice our support for Black Lives Matter. Clinton's stance resonates with individuals who share her belief in the significance of black lives. When addressing this issue, it is crucial to thoroughly analyze all sources as they may present varying perspectives. Sources such as Dissent Magazine and The Guardian remain impartial and refrain from offering personal opinions on the matter.

The video of NBC news on YouTube displays the emotion of the movement and the articles should refrain from expressing their bias. The video provides insight into the sentiments of others, while Dissent Magazine offers valuable articles to understand the development and purpose of the Black Lives Matter movement. In general, the Dissent Magazine and other sources cover cases where innocent young African-Americans are killed by white police officers. It is crucial to distinguish between sources that present their own perspective and those that present objective facts.

Understanding the content and recognizing bias in a source is crucial. Equally important is examining whether the source provides accurate facts and quotes that help in comprehending the event. In addition, the source should include visual representations such as pictures and videos, as well as personal stories that illustrate

the impact on individuals.