Persuasive Essay Sample about The Importance of Black Lives Matter

There have been many opinions circulating Black Lives Matter and its purpose on a global scale. Black Lives Matter was founded by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi. The podcast brought a great perspective from the brilliant minds that helped found this wonderful movement. The movement was introduced on a hashtag in 2013 after George Zimmerman was acquitted of murdering Trayvon Martin. This hashtag would later turn into an entire movement that would be dedicated to speaking out against social injustices and inequalities faced daily by the African American communities. The speakers were able to discuss many great questions leading to the ideas and motivations behind BLM. Even though some have shared negative opinions or responses to the movement, and forget the true purpose is to help create equality systematically. Not only doesn’t this help provide a voice for us, but it helps open dialogue for other marginalized groups that deal with racism. Speaking from experience as an African American man, I’ve personally had to endure several racist encounters with police officers. This doesn’t include the countless racial slurs I’ve been called for just existing. We must continue to support the idea of Black Lives Matter because this helps, expand the support for equality with our society and justice system.

Initially, the speakers were asked why is Black Lives Matter important to the US and the world?  To find a legitimate answer we must look deeper into what is voiced on their opinions, like giving answers to why black neighborhoods in America continue to be over-policed. Answers to this could help save countless lives and decrease the number of unarmed police shootings. It’s important by bringing more awareness to anti-black racism in America and across the world. Opal Tometi said, “ what we need now more than ever is a human rights movement that challenges systemic racism in every single context.” This was her response to the idea of anti-black racism, it’s powerful that she considered it a human rights movement. Anything that provides progression for human rights should be more than important in America. BLM brings light to the systemic inequalities locally and globally. We must support equality for all, and it starts with movements like BLM.

Afterward, it was mentioned that when black people are free, everyone is free. This puts it into perspective on a larger scale and expresses the good ripple effect this can cause. Educating people like the speakers on how to understand inequalities and where to identify them on a system-based level. Redlining is a great example of this because this was a “legal” way for the government to keep black populations out of urban white neighborhoods. Even though this was exposed, there are still many examples of redlining that happen even today. Comparing black women’s pay to white woman’s pay, showed that black women get paid less at 64 cents for every 78 cents. The fact that women already have to deal with a wage gap with men, makes it harder for POC women. This is absurd that you can be in the same career as someone and get paid less because of the color of your skin and ethnicity. 

Also, it’s worth noting that BLM helps create more black leadership because this is very important for the black community to have leaders that can help guide generations and help make changes that are vital in working towards equality. With many black communities that grow up with poverty and lack of resources, this creates even more barriers. With more leaders in the black community, this helps create a stronger foundation that impacts the black community as a whole, and not for a select few. Everyone has to be free for there to be a true sense of equality and freedom. The speakers mentioned a need for creating more leadership for all POC communities dealing with racism and prejudice. This shows the support that outreaches beyond the African American community. All marginalized groups must support one another to help bridge the gap for change in our society. I truly find it interesting that the founders understand how important good leadership is to our community and it can provide progression on a bigger scale.

Furthermore, BLM was a chance for the founders to create a sense of hope, that can help with the current state of America towards minorities. The unfortunate reality of hate crimes increasing begs for the need for hope. One of the speakers discussed the important role immigrants play on the topic. Even one of the speakers talked about how immigrants inspired her because of all the challenges they face, and after ensuring that they are rejected and told by our government that they’re not wanted. The movement helps build off of positive inspirations, instead of negative ones. It’s great to hear that the focus is to make a positive impact because that manifests positive energy. Another goal of the BLM is to help allow helping educate all generations and hope for a change in negative perspectives towards black people. This goes for any negative stigma or perception that is used to reflect poorly on black people as a whole. More people becoming educated on the matter can help put us one step closer to providing equality.

The interview of these individuals provided more insight into these powerful women while discussing their influences and perspectives that helped shape BLM. We can all appreciate a movement that is geared towards making a difference. Racism in America has created a lot of tension and it seems to have no end. People waking up to a reality where they’re too scared to deal with the police or just existing because of the color of their skin can be the determining factor between life and death. I respect these three Queens because they helped found a way to give black people a voice and a way to identify that voice when calling for change. They helped organize a group that has fought for basic human rights and these women deserve to be applauded for their courage to lead the way. If we all can take the initiative like them, we could do so much progression in our society's most misunderstood concept. We all should strive to continue to support movements like BLM because they help change, advocate, and bring awareness to troubling events that deny people of color basic human rights.

Work Cited

Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi. “ An Interview with the founders of Black Lives Matter.” women, 2016. Accessed on  25 Sept. 2021.

BlackFacts.com. “Black Lives Matter.” Blackfacts.com, Accessed on 25 Sept. 2021.