Black Lives Matter Movement Inspires Change and Progress

On August 7th, 2014, the Black Lives Matter movement emerged in Ferguson, Missouri. This momentous event has since sparked a wave of change and progress across the nation. The New York Times’ 2016 study found that 75% of all mass shootings with four or more people killed or wounded are black-on-black shootings. Since then, these numbers have more than doubled during the BLM era. Despite this alarming statistic, there is still cause for optimism. The Black Lives Matter movement has been instrumental in raising awareness about police brutality and racial injustice throughout the United States. Through peaceful protests and demonstrations, they have helped to bring attention to important issues such as systemic racism and police violence against African Americans. The movement has also inspired many other initiatives such as The National Bail Out Collective which works to free individuals from jail who cannot afford bail money; Campaign Zero which focuses on reducing police violence; Color of Change which works to empower black communities through online activism; and My Brother’s Keeper Alliance which seeks to close opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color. These organizations are just a few examples of how the Black Lives Matter movement has brought about positive change in our society. Their work is helping to create a more equitable future for everyone regardless of race or ethnicity. In addition to inspiring new initiatives, the BLM movement has also pushed for much needed reforms within law enforcement agencies around the country. Many cities have adopted policies such as body cameras on officers, implicit bias training for officers, increased transparency in policing practices, and independent investigations into officer misconduct allegations - all thanks to the hard work of activists involved with BLM protests nationwide. It is clear that despite some troubling statistics regarding black-on-black mass shootings since 2014, there is still hope for progress due largely in part to the efforts made by those involved with Black Lives Matter over these past five years. It is our duty as citizens of this nation to continue their legacy by standing up against injustice wherever we see it - both big and small - so that one day we can achieve true equality for all people regardless of race or ethnicity.