BLM and the Media

Written by Shreya Venkatachalam

Texas, USA

In the article Black Lives Matter: From Protests to Lasting Change, author Leslie Crutchfield proves the idea that the current protests against racism and police brutality are rallying inspiration and change. Crutchfield explains how a simple hashtag on social media grew to be embraced by many and became a battle cry, not just for racial justice but also for marriage equality, anti-smoking efforts, and many more fundamental human rights. Rippling from just the African American community to many businesses and media platforms, BLM has already caused changes in social norms rather than political policies.

As opinions shift regarding this movement in light of recent events, pop culture and business advertisements begin to “[influence] attitudes about race” and enlighten the “conscience of a growing number” of Americans, taking up the role of a vector for these changing views (Crutchfield, 2020). Movies, books, documentaries, and ads on persecution against race and the current situation of the black community release into the public and increase awareness across several races. This is change. While racist views have not been swept clean, and will most likely take years to soften the curves, the involvement of popular media companies in anti-racial movements makes a difference in cultural norms, igniting the beginning sparks of the growing fire of revolution.

Works Cited

Crutchfield, Leslie. “Black Lives Matter: From Protests to Lasting Change.” The Chronicle of Philanthropy, July 2020, p. 28. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A629604708/AONE?u=j043905011&sid=AONE&xid=63f66d66. Accessed 25 Oct. 2020.