There is no such thing as race. None. There is just a human race — scientifically, anthropologically. Toni Morrison
Homo Sapiens, whom we call our ancestors have appeared on this Earth around 315,000 years ago. The current humans have evolved from them. Humans since then have been migrating places, forming settlements for better opportunities.
Why do we need such Movements..?
As the resources are limited and the population is humongous there’s often a hassle, a lot many times which results in riots, conflicts and wars. This causes discrimination based on various factors color, caste, creed, ethnicity, section, etc.
History has been the witness when such things happen, they do no good to society, instead rupture the beliefs of cooperation and mutual workmanship.
Today, the eyes of the world are glued to the recent happening in a nation which claims to be a superpower. But feels itself taken in a back seat when such an issue arises. It’s about the George Floyd case and the movement “Black Lives Matter” which was started as a hashtags now become a full fledged movement. Therefore, without any further ado let’s begin.
What is Geroge Floyd Case?
When a 46-year old African-American named George Floyd was choked to death under the knee of a white police officer in Minneapolis on 25th May. This gruesome treatment was followed for 8 minutes 46 seconds during which George Floyd recalled his mother and said “I can’t breathe” a number of times. This incident triggered waves of protests not only on the streets but also on various social media platforms. The protests on social media networks saw a movement Black Lives Matter, a movement for racial justice that started to gain momentum since 2013.
How it started?
In July 2013, a man who was accused of killing a 17-year old black teenager Trayvon Martin in Florida was acquitted. This led to agitation among the African-American section of society. Three Black organisers Alicia Garza, Patrice Cullors and Opal Tometi, were discussing this matter on Facebook. Mrs. Garza wrote in a post that “Our Lives Matter, Black Lives Matter,”. The hashtags like (BlackLivesMatter) given by Ms.Cullors. Later, Ms. Tometi joined the it and spread it’s digital wing. The mission of BLM website as it says is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on black communities by the state and vigilantes.
Who is protesting?
It is quite significant to notice that the protest has been able to produce amount of change. In such a short time, more than 40 Percent of people are part of it. Black Lives matter has been used around 30 million times from 2013-2018. Moreover,it was also widely used in Eric Garner’s case and many other cases where unjustice was meted out to the African-Americans. White supporting masses and many Republican politicians made counter hashtags opposing Black Lives Matter such as “All lives matter” popular.
Famous African-Americans who made their mark
Barack Obama
One of the most recent and significant black leaders of our time is the 44th US president, Barack Obama. He was the fifth African American to be elected as the US Senate and the first black person ever elected as commander-in-chief. he entire Obama clan — including, Michelle, Malia and Sasha — are this country’s greatest representation of #blacklove and deserve to be celebrated.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Powered by faith, inspired by Gandhi and motivated by hope for equal treatment for all, Martin Luther King Jr. He elivered words to a generation (I Have a Dream speech). Moreover it helped people to change the way they thought, which ultimately shifted the world. There is still work needs to done to complete Dr. King’s vision, but there is no doubt about the progress we’ve made was set in motion by black leaders.
Rosa Parks
Often called “The Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,”. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white male passenger on a public bus in Montgomery. Later, people in the city organized a boycott of the city’s buses that lasted for over a year. Therefore his collective protest employed Martin Luther King Jr. as its spokesperson. initiated the beginning of the civil rights movement.
Kobe Bryant
Drafted right out of Lower Merion High School at the age of 17. He won five titles as one of the marquee players in the Los Angeles Lakers franchise. He was a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. men’s basketball teams at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games . In 2015 Bryant wrote the poem “Dear Basketball,” which served as the basis for a short film. The work won an Academy Award for best animated short film. A vocal advocate for the homeless Bryant and his wife, Vanessa started the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation. They aimed to reduce the number of homeless in Los Angeles. Recently ,Bryant, his daughter Gigi, and seven other passengers died in a helicopter crash in late January.
Rudolph Fisher
Fisher was an African-American physician, radiologist, novelist, short story writer, dramatist, musician, and orator. In addition to publishing scientific articles, he was fond of music. He played piano, wrote musical scores and toured with Paul Robeson, playing jazz. He wrote multiple short stories, two novels and contributed his articles to the NAACP. All this before his death at the age of 37.
The list goes on and on, because there are many who have struggled. Therefore, their contribution made this world a better place to live in. At the end I would like to bid adieu with this small excerpt from a legendary and world renowned boxer;
Muhammad Ali’s interview taken by Parkinson in 1971:
I asked my momma that how come everything is white?’ Why is Jesus white with blonde hair and blue eyes? Why is the Lord’s Supper all white men?
Angels are white, Pope, Mary and even the angels.,
I said, ‘Mother, When we die, do we go to heaven?’
She said, ‘Naturally we go to heaven’
I said, ‘What happened to all the black angels when they took the pictures?’
And the angel food cake was the white cake, and the devil food cake was the chocolate cake.
I always wondered .. and the president lived in the White House,
And Mary had a little lamb, his feet as white as snow, and Snow White, and everything was white.
Santa Claus was white.
And everything bad was black.
The little ugly duckling was a black duck. And the black cat was the bad luck. And if I threaten you I’m going to blackmail you.
I said, ‘Mama, why don’t they call it whitemail, they lie too!’
I was always curious, and this is when I knew something was wrong.
Conclusion
The omnipresent and omnipotent doesn’t discriminate among its children. Everyone is equal irrespective of whatever caste, creed, color, race, one follows. Equality should be ensured for all it is sole responsibility of governing bodies. To provide at least a better living and basic amenities. Change in mind always welcomes the sections of society. Only, if such things follow progress will bloom otherwise doomsday isn’t much far away.
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