Civic Engagement, Identity, and Group Mobilization 1

Civic Engagement, Identity, and Group Mobilization: Black Lives Matter

N’Kiya L. Wright

Arizona State University

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Introduction

Black Lives Matter is a social and political movement that fights for freedom, liberation,

and justice for African Americans. This movement was founded by Alicia Garza, Patrisse

Cullors, and Opal Tometi in response to the murder of 17 year-old Trayvon Martin by George

Zimmerman in 2012. Trayvon Martin was an African American teenager walking home from the

store when Zimmerman called the police because the 17 year-old looked suspicious. Instead of

listening to the police when they said to leave it alone, he proceeded to take matters into his own

hands and shot Trayvon Martin, who was pronounced dead on the scene. Zimmerman was

arrested and charged with second-degree murder, who would later be found not guilty of any

charges in 2013. Trayvon Martin had not been in any trouble and had no weapon. He was not a

threat to Zimmerman at all. Instead of getting justice for the Martin family, the jury decided it

was self defense and when the news was announced, protests broke out in response. People

marched throughout Florida, where the incident happened, and other states to show support for

the family and demand justice. Instead, this was just like any other case that happens with black

people, they did not get the justice they deserved. From 2013, Black Lives Matter has grown

massively throughout the country and places like the UK, Europe, and Canada where they hold

protests for the rights of African Americans. This essay will talk about how Black Lives Matter

is relevant to American Democracy and how it participates in public services.

Identity

Black Lives Matter is an organization of many identities and fights for many causes. In

February of 2017, they mobilized against the now former President Donald Trump. Although
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part of their mobilization was because of the derogatory and racist comments about the Black

Lives Matter movement and black people itself, they still stood with others to fight against the

President of the United States. Those who joined to fight against President Trump have reasons

other than the importance of black lives. They wanted their voices to be heard when protecting

the rights of women and their decisions with their body, and even about the outbreak of the

pandemic of the coronavirus and how he was handling it.

Just as any other organization, there is always someone against it. Within the growth of

the organization, people have made phrases like “All Lives Matter” or “Blue Lives Matter”. Part

of Black Lives Matter agenda is to defund the police. The display of violence the police has

displayed amongst the black community is becoming horrifying and has not changed. Instead of

looking at the bigger issue, people have responded in ways that fight against the purpose of

Black Lives Matter. Though this happens, Black Lives Matter continues to grow and spread

awareness.

Social Capital

Black Lives Matter facilitates and works together with other pillars of different

communities and organizations to help uphold black communities throughout the world. The

social capital of this movement not only includes the founders, but anyone who shows support

through various ways. It can be volunteering, speaking at a protest, protesting in general, or even

buying merchandise. Actions like this helps spread awareness and big companies and celebrities

get involved. They use their platform to speak up, send donations, and sign petitions to help save

lives or change laws.

Social Engagement
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Engagement through this organization can be through social media, newspaper or

magazine articles, or even through school education. In today’s society, social media has had a

big influence on the world. People have been able to communicate faster and efficiently without

having much trouble. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Tiktok have been

almost everyone’s favorite. Within seconds, people can post videos and pictures of them

advocating and educating others about Black Lives Matter. Especially with the current pandemic,

people have been able to safely engage in the movement.

Mobilization

Although Black Lives Matter organization and movement was designed to unite African

Americans and stand against racism, discrimination, and injustice in America, almost 95% of the

protests in this country has been majority white. It may seem as only this was an organization

that was strictly made for one identity and purpose, but the founders and members of this

organization encourage people to become educated about black lives and get involved in any

way possible. The Black Lives Matter movement is now a member-led global network of more

than 40 chapters. Through social media and protests, they have made it their mission to change

laws and make new ones. For example, following the wrongful death of George Floyd in

Minneapolis, city council pledged to dismantle its police department. They’ve also had

lawmakers in Mississippi vote to retire their state flag which includes a confederate battle

emblem. This was all because of the awareness the Black Lives Matter movement and its

supporters provided. They are built to educate and change the lives of those overlooked, African

Americans.
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American Democracy

In addition to protests, Black Lives Matter organization encourages people to get in direct

contact with local, state, and national governments to demand answers and changes. In many

cases, this has helped save black people from the death penalty and even having a retrial. They

accept donations to help pay for legal fees that some may not be able to afford and even help

arrange funerals. In American democracy, we have the power and necessities to demand changes

in areas where we do not agree and this movement takes advantage of that. In addition to fighting

against police brutality, they help people register to vote and teach them the ways to vote and

stay connected in the elections.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although Black Lives Matter is an organization made by African

Americans for African Americans, everyone is encouraged to join and become educated. There

are ways such as social media that allows you to be connected and stay connected. Black Lives

Matter is not meant to divide people, but educate the world and open their eyes to the abuse and

blatant discrimination against black people.

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References

Univision. 2016. ​Black Lives Matter Is Joining The Fight Against Deportations​. [online] Available at:

<https://www.univision.com/univision-news/immigration/black-lives-matter-is-joining-the-fight-against-dep

ortations> [Accessed 8 December 2020].

HISTORY. 2012. ​Florida Teen Trayvon Martin Is Shot And Killed​. [online] Available at:

<https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/florida-teen-trayvon-martin-is-shot-and-killed>

[Accessed 8 December 2020].

Blacklivesmatter.com. 2013. ​Herstory.​ [online] Available at: <https://blacklivesmatter.com/about/>

[Accessed 8 December 2020].

Patterson, B., Drum, K., Lockhart, P., Pauly, M., Baptiste, N. and Berman, A., 2017. ​How The Black Lives

Matter Movement Is Mobilizing Against Trump.​ [online] Mother Jones. Available at:

<https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/02/black-lives-matter-versus-trump/> [Accessed 8 December

2020].

Wills, V., 2020. ​‘Black Lives Matter’ As Identity Politics And Class Struggle​. [online] Blog of the APA.

Available at:

<https://blog.apaonline.org/2020/06/17/black-lives-matter-as-identity-politics-and-class-struggle/>

[Accessed 8 December 2020].