The #BlackLivesMatter Movement and

Its Founders

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Black Lives Matter was created as a response to the justice system that has intentionally targeted the African American community.  The movement is not a hate group, but rather a community that utilizes their platform to offer hope for those robbed of their basic human rights. In an interview with Jared Ball, Patrisse Cullors stated that the origins of the Black Lives Matter movement spawned from both “black love and black rage”. The movement was to open the eyes of her fellow "black folks," who at the time did not expect to receive  justice for the senseless kiliing of Trayvon Martin. As of December 10, 2016, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi define the movement as being made up of diversity, globalism, restorative justice, collective value, empathy, intergenerational, transgender affirming and queer affirming people. When they are not active on social media, they are invited to speak on talk shows, new stations, and peace demonstrations. Their goal is to not only continue awareness, but to "lift up Black lives as an opportunity to connect struggles across race, class, gender, nationality, sexuality and disability."

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