Black Lives Matter Protests - Essay Example

Will the Current Black Lives Matter Protests Enhance Meaningful Change?

Introduction

            The fundamental freedom and human rights are inherent for every individual, regardless of color or ethnicity. Blacks, Whites, Latinos, Asians, Arabs, and any other racial groups are all equal. Despite such a universally embraced policy, racism has continued to be a significant issue not only in the United States but globally, a factor that led to Black related movements initiated by people like Martin Luther King Jr (Gay 1). Under such influences, the Black Lives Matter movement later developed to enhance the protection and safety of black people. Minorities, mainly the Black people, have experienced continuously emotional, physical, psychological, and financial torture for decades (Gay1).

Besides, police brutality has been like a norm against the Black people, and all these inhuman acts pushed communities to step forward and demand change through protests. In the last two months, people have protested to condemn police brutality after George Floyd's murder (Truax 14th Paragraph (Pr)). While such protests have significantly addressed racial injustices, the question remains if it will result in meaningful changes. This paper's primary purpose is to analyze if the Black Lives Matter movement or protests can enhance significant changes in society. The present paper will review the current BLM protests around the world, mainly their strategies and possible outcomes to achi. In my opinion, the protests are significantly enhancing a positive and meaningful impact globally.

Black Lives Matter Protests

            The protests in BLM call for a serious change around the world for racial equality and justice, which is evident based on the movement's unity. The protests have enhanced the development of universal empowering culture with two main agendas. First, through the protests, various societies have raised awareness of police brutalities, an act that influences reforms of policing policies (Schwarz 2nd Pr). Second, the protests are fighting for justice of black people, and this does not only positively impact African Americans, but people of color globally. Thousands of people on streets protesting against systematic racism are an indication that society is reflecting on its norms. As a result, communities evaluate ways and policies that can socially empower people of color within America and beyond. Therefore, BLM protests are profoundly impacting the communities' significant changes, specifically promoting racial-based equality and protection of black people.

            Black people's oppression reflects a broken system in justice departments, police, and other relevant officials. For instance, George Floyd’s killer would not have committed such an inhuman act if he effectively followed the professional ethics. Thus, as protests end the racially targeted brutality, they are also fixing the broken and overlooked systems. Black people economically, politically, and socially struggle more than other races because of their skin color (Schwarz 12th Pr). Incarceration is an excellent example of an overlooked system associated with the suffering of black people. Although the current protests focus on police brutality, their impacts are widely influential in policing processing, and this includes incarceration. Blacks are more targeted during incarceration; hence, this has potentially positively changed as protests demand change in the justice system.

            Unlike earlier black movements, the recent protests have gained more supporters from different angles, a factor which has established a strong foundation for equality. One of the common critics in the BLM emphasizes 'All Lives Matter,' as a way of undermining and overlooking the Black's oppression. While it is true all lives, whether black or not, matter, such a statement shows how society has been ignorant about the deeply rooted racial discrimination around the globe. In this case, a majority of people would not have understood the importance of protecting black lives. Generations after generations with such mentality that ‘all lives matter’ might have continued treating black people differently because they are less aware of psychological torture subjected to them through police brutality (Gay 1) . However, the protests have helped demonstrate the vulnerability of black people in the hands of the police. Blacks are under attacks not only from police departments, but also from other races, and this explains the great emphasis on 'Black Lives Matter.' Although the world already knew all these sufferings of black people, the protests have demonstrated the torture and called for urgent change. As a result, all populations and ages understand why black lives should be protected, and this is instilling new norms in all generations.

            Although the current BLM protests uniformly focus on ending injustices, they involve multiple voices reinforcing all relevant forces for a quick change. People have different perceptions about BLM whereby, while some emphasize general equality, others call for political actions by defunding police (Truax 5th Pr). I support police defund and ending unnecessary spending in the criminal justice system through activities like incarceration. Based on the protests' claim, the money used in the mentioned department should be allocated for other critical issues. For a long time, Black people are disproportionately discriminated in the education system and as emphasized in policing processes. Therefore, police defund demanded in the protests can be used to establish comfortable learning institutions, healthcare, housing, and many more for African Americans and other minorities affected by racism. As a result, the efforts in the current protests are going to change the Blacks' lives of younger generations. Police defund means the likes of George Floyd’s children and the next generations will experience a different world where their well being is a priority.

            Political power is one of the emphasized changes in the current protests, whereby people call for transparency in this aspect (Schwarz 14th Pr). The needed change in terms of racial equality is possible anywhere in the world through people's unity. However, change can occur more quickly and effectively if the political representatives are supporting African American lives. Due to this, protesters demand the release of political figures who were mostly incarcerated as a result of promoting equal treatment for all races (Schwarz 14th Pr). All these efforts mean the presence of influential political people genuinely supporting BLM is likely to impact opportunities for black people in all areas. Political influence is critical for sustainable growth in any movement, and the same applies to the BLM.

            While police brutality and social discrimination are the leading issues in the marginalized group, the protesters are also addressing the economic injustices (Schwarz 12th Pr). Black people, unlike other communities, are economically limited to things like employment and establishing a business. The weakening economy in a community impacts other aspects adversely, and this explains why the current economic pressure is hitting black people. Therefore, economic justice pushed through the present protests target improving the state of job opportunities. The marginalized groups are always associated with less impactful opportunities, but society is slowly changing. For instance, an online community is greatly supporting black-owned businesses, and I have frequently come across such statements in social network platforms. At last, the world is recognizing the efforts and skills of Black people by supporting their businesses, a factor boosting their economic growth.

Counter Argument

The eruption of the present protests across the world reflects people's concern over Black people's lives and experiences. Despite the great support of the anti-racist movement, its objectives and demands can be challenged. For instance, a change of criminal justice policies may not effectively end police brutality towards the Black people. Also, the movement lacks coherent set goals due to its participants' cultural and geographical diversity (Gay 1). Police brutality is often a result of behavioral patterns in the society whereby those who cause harm are praised. Thus, the police may continue to physically and psychologically abuse Black people, regardless of changing the criminal justice system or policies in the police department. The protests might be meaningless if the society retains the same norms of elevating police misconduct. Therefore, changing social norms might be more significant than the reformation of government systems. Besides, racism is a personal opinion because not all whites discriminate against marginalized communities. In this case, it is challenging to address racism since perpetrators are random and in different versions of discrimination. In other words, ending racism requires more than reforming federal laws. People need soul searching to understand humanity and the need for its protection.

Conclusion

            Enacting change in the world requires serious protests, and this is what the Black Lives Matter Movement is all about. Based on the present changes, the protests are likely to result in meaningful impacts for the marginalized group, black people. The protests demand police defund and reallocating funds to other activities, which can benefit the Black people. For instance, the money can be used to restructure learning systems and employment programs which have earlier discriminated against the people of color. The present movement calls for economic and political justice, mainly providing equal treatment to all people regardless of their racial groups. Overall efforts in the current movement focus on empowering the black community in all aspects. Despite the positive changes currently, the present BLM protests have received several backlashes. For instance, reformation of justice policies may not change the deeply-rooted elements of racism. Instead, change of personal behaviors through cultural norms may significantly promote the anti-racist society. Many stable nations or communities were built and sustained through protests and constant revolutions. Therefore, BLM protests have a higher possibility of initiating a sustainable positive change in the Black community.