Background and History of BLM Movement

#BlackLivesMatter started July 13, 2013, as a response to Trayvon Martin’s murder. It is a global organization whose goal was to end white supremacy and violence concerning the black communities. Currently on their website, the movement has now expanded to black queer and trans folks, disabled folks, undocumented folks, folks with records, women, and all Black lives along the gender spectrum. Sounds pretty broad right? It also sounds like a different agenda. I understand that there are different types of protest groups marching, and they may have their own concerns, but the website clears the air.

Defund the Police

In the wake up George Floyd’s death, protests have swept the nation with numerous signs, stating, BLACK LIVES MATTER. Besides the looting and rioting, the unity all around the world consisting of diverse crowds is a beautiful thing. I’ve been targeted and wrongfully arrested once before, so I completely understand the protesting, but demands to defund the police is a bit much. After all, we do need law enforcement. I was shocked to see Mitt Romney, a former presidential candidate, marching in support of the movement. Many questions were raised. Finally, I decided to do my own research on the BlackLivesMatter website. What I read became so troubling, that I sat in disbelief. Some people have no clue as to what they are truly supporting.

The True Agenda 

I want to share specific information from the BlackLivesMatter website. “We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and “villages” that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable”. I shouted, “Yay, that includes me”, completely oblivious to the first statement, but in agreement with the last one. I continued reading, but the next paragraph was the eye opener. “We foster a queer-affirming network. When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking, or rather, the belief that all in the world are heterosexual (unless s/he or they disclose otherwise).” 

LGBTQ Community

Now I absolutely love all people, including my friends and family who support protesting for the rights of all. But, we already have a movement for the LGBTQ community. Why use a different movement, the BLM movement, to demand rights for another movement? Why does the website attack the heterosexual nuclear family structure?  Although the BLM website consists of pictures of the black victims of police brutality and inequality, their beliefs are contrary to that specific group. I don’t deny that positive changes have been made for the black community. The biggest victory shown on the BlackLivesMatter website, is concerning the Supreme Court ruling that the LGBTQ community could no longer be discriminated against or fired in 26 states in America, followed by 3 hashtags: #BlackLivesMatter #blacktranslivesmatter, and #BlackQueerLivesMatter. Yet, we still have At-Will Employment, giving fourteen states the right to hire and fire anyone else at any time, without reason.