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Black Lives Matter

This guide is intended to support research on the history of race, inequality, and the lives of African Americans, and support social justice activism.

About this guide

This research guide provides background to the Black Lives Matter movement as a response to violence against people of color. These resources are for students and educators to contextualize how the movement has sprung from a history of systemic racism in the U.S., including police brutality, mass-incarceration, discrimination, and institutional structures that keep people of color in poverty. The guide intends to educate and inspire action. It was originally developed in collaboration with Billy von Raven, and is now updated by librarian Claire Dannenbaum.

History of Black Lives Matter

“Herstory” - From Black Lives Matter

"In 2013, three radical Black organizers—Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi—created a Black-centered political will and movement building project called #BlackLivesMatter. It was in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer, George Zimmerman.

The project is now a member-led global network of more than 40 chapters. Our members organize and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.

Black Lives Matter is an ideological and political intervention in a world where Black lives are systematically and intentionally targeted for demise. It is an affirmation of Black folks’ humanity, our contributions to this society, and our resilience in the face of deadly oppression.Read more…

Books about BLM