it’s unreal that race and skin color is actually an issue in an interconnected and modern world. we still constantly have to justify, argue about it and even worry about it. with today’s article, i want to support the #blacklivesmatter movement and demonstrate solidarity for those affected by police brutality and injustice in the states as well as for obvious reasons take a stand against racism in my own country.
nelson mandela dedicated his life in order to abolish apartheid in south africa and ended up being a celebrated politician and activist but also, revolutionists, leaders and bright minds, such as melcom x and martin luther king have died to establish equality in the states. this makes me wonder, how the conditions in the states diminish all that they have accomplished and it becomes clear that the racist structures still run deep in the u.s.a. therefore, their cause fighting for justice, equality and simple human rights has still the same relevance today as back in the 60s.
i followed the case of trayvon martin and saw disturbing and violent videos, where unarmed black men were held down and shot dead simply for being black- this makes me angry. because not only the shooters but also the justice system in the u.s. seem to assign the life of a black person and those they leave behind hardly any worth, as the shooters often go free. it makes me angry that the judiciary doesn’t acknowledge these deaths as what they are, it’s murder and no justification in the world could explain that away.
the #blacklivesmatter movement started about 4 years ago when unarmed 17 year old trayvon martin was killed by the volunteer neighborhood watchman george zimmerman, who was discharged of second-degree murder and manslaughter. one little disgusting twist in this story is, that zimmerman auctioned off the gun he shot the boy with for $250,000 after he walked free.
a year later, jordan davis -another 17-year old african american boy was shot over an altercation about too loud music at a gas station, where he and his friends wanted to buy a pack of gum and cigarettes. the shooter pulled out his gun and fired 10 rounds into davis car. this shooting and its victim jordan davis are the subject of the documentary 3 1/2 minutes, in which the danger young black men in america encounter are discussed.
shortly after that, eric garner suffocated, because police officers held him down and choaked him to death, so he wasn’t able to breathe, which he repeatedly yelled out. this caused athletes, artists, and actors to start supporting the movement by wearing ‘i can’t breath’ shirts at public events. at that point, marching and chanting people across the states were everyday images when watching the news.
artists were inspired to express and manifest their attitude in all forms of art, such as music, paitings and poemns. my favorite song, which represents the #blacklivesmatter movement to me is actually part of the soundtrack selma and is called glory by common and john legend.
the names i mentioned are only a few from the long list of unjust deaths in america. men, women, and children are part of this list of shooting victims , who lost their lives for no reason other than being black.
this movement is so powerful and important that it spread to europe. many people in europe demonstrate against this injustice in america and organize their own #blacklivesmatter demonstrations in many cities, such as Berlin, dublin, frankfurt/main, stockholm and copenhagen. look up the dates to participate if you are nearby!
the #blacklivesmatter movement is a modern civil rights movement and does not only concern african americans in the u.s. and blacks across the world but everyone, because those who keep silent accept it!
i too cannot rest, since if there is no justice there’s no piece!
allovertheplayce 