The Case for Black Lives Matter Movement Essay Example
The Case for Black Lives Matter Movement Essay Example

The Case for Black Lives Matter Movement Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (837 words)
  • Published: July 16, 2021
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Jason Van Dyke, a Chicago Police Officer, was found guilty of second-degree murder for the 2014 killing of Laquan McDonald. Initially, reports claimed that McDonald had assaulted Van Dyke with a three-inch knife, thus seemingly justifying the shooting. However, videos released by the Chicago Police later discredited this account and depicted McDonald walking away from Van Dyke at the time of the incident. These instances, alongside others, highlight a significant catalyst behind the emergence of the Black Lives Matter Movement.

The Van Dyke case verdict gives the Black Lives Matter Movement confidence that impartial trials can be held in incidents where unarmed black teenagers are killed by police officers. While not seen as a complete triumph, the movement interprets it as an encouraging indication that their endeavors have meaning. In the past, similar cases such as Van Dyke's consistently led to juries

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being unable to reach a decision or insufficient evidence for legal action. Detractors maintain that the Black Lives Matter Movement worsens racial division, lacks a cohesive political ideology, and participates in violent demonstrations. Opponents argue that the movement's name disregards the worth of lives from other ethnicities.

Despite acknowledging the racial disparities in our criminal justice system, some individuals opt to use terms like "All Lives Matter" and "Blue Lives Matter," which can be interpreted as a denial of these disparities (Gale, 2018). Nevertheless, the movement's founders argue that their intention is simply to highlight the disproportionate value society places on black lives. The alarming rate at which police officers kill unarmed black teenagers exceeds that of other races. I support the movement's efforts to combat inequality within the judicial system. However, I believe that

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if the roles were reversed, opponents of the movement would advocate for capital punishment for offenders. The political divide witnessed in recent activities over the past decade has reached an unprecedented level.

This text examines the impact of specific individual actions and unjust laws, like stop-and-frisk, in the present circumstances. It centers on the enforcement of stop-and-frisk regulations in New York State and cites Kenneth Jost's 2000 article "Racial Profiling," which discusses Floyd vs. New York State as a notable case. This particular case revolves around David Floyd, a 33-year-old who faced mistreatment from law enforcement officers. Despite Mayor Bloomberg and the Police Commissioner attributing this legislation to the decrease in crime rates within the city.

Although there are positive outcomes resulting from this law, certain aspects of it are considered illegal. Non-white individuals, specifically Blacks and Hispanics, have a higher chance of being stopped by police officers in comparison to white individuals. This has led to the emergence of the term "racial profiling," which refers to assuming guilt based on one's race. Interestingly, in New York state where stop-and-frisk laws were prevalent, 53 percent of stops made between 2004 and 2012 targeted Blacks while 32 percent targeted Hispanics. It is ironic because African-Americans make up only 26 percent and Hispanics represent just 23 percent of the city's population. Ultimately, on August 12th, 2017, Judge Shira Scheindlin declared that these stop-and-frisk tactics were unconstitutional and violated the rights of minorities in New York City.

According to Jost (2013), the ongoing protests by the Black Lives Movement have highlighted legislations such as stop-and-frisk, but they have not effectively closed racial divides. Critics claim that the movement lacks a consistent

ideology and frequently alters its objectives. Although initially centered on police misconduct, the movement has broadened its agenda to tackle inequalities in employment and healthcare. The primary goal of the Black Lives Matter Movement is to ensure equal safety and fair treatment from America's criminal justice system for individuals of all races.

Although there are arguments claiming that the protest methods used by the Black Lives Matter Movement are violent and uncivilized, it is crucial to universally embrace this movement as a way of life. It surpasses mere ideology and instead promotes equal protection under the law for all races rather than just one particular race. This criticism has been voiced by individuals from diverse sectors of society, including Black Civil Rights Leaders, State Officials, and Police Officers.

The text discusses how protests in cities are causing disruptions to traffic flow by blocking highways and main streets. According to Gale (2018), the Ferguson protests showed hostility towards law enforcement and white individuals, as reported by cities. The article presents an example of a lone wolf attacker who murdered five police officers in Dallas, Texas in July 2016, using this incident to support their argument. However, subsequent investigations revealed that the shooter had no connection with the Black Lives Matter Movement. Ultimately, similar to the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Lives Matter Movement functions as a social tool that draws attention to societal issues within our nation. To facilitate change, it is crucial for us to acknowledge our mistakes and take appropriate measures to rectify them.

The Black Lives Matter Movement recognizes the disparity in our societal framework and advocates for nationwide advancement in fostering the welfare of all

Americans. It underscores our shared duty towards one another.

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