To detail the history of the Black Lives Matter movement, I used movies and a show dated throughout American history. I started with 12 Years a Slave, followed by Selma, then Straight Outta Compton, ending with an episode of Scandal. I attempted to describe themes I felt were important to the movement, such as betrayal of powerful men, importance of music, and lack of national acceptance. I found that certain language and appearances by black people made them guilty in the eyes of the law. Detailing the injustice towards the black community as a white man was not easy, as I tried to speak as a student of the topic, not an educator. While I describe these themes on a national level, each issue can be found locally as well. The Black Lives Matter movement is not something we can identify as neutral for, you are either with the movement, or against it. Sitting around indifferently means we don’t care enough to help, it means we are dooming those who speak for equality.
3 thoughts on “Jacob Hendrix- Black Lives Matter”
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Your paper did a very good job on pointing out important scenes from important movies and shows that represent different eras of discrimination. I would have liked to see more information or reference to articles explaining why white individuals and officials use their authority to disrespect and belittle. Or how the treatment that blacks experience from white people have shaped their interactions in the American society. Something that lets me understand more as to why people are the way that they are.
I think your investigation of how this problem is portrayed in media is very interesting. The legacy or heritage that you address of the importance of music in the black community stands out to me because I think that, in the midst of the black lives matter movement, this is becoming more and more prevalent. You mentioned Kanye West and Jay-Z as successful artists who have lead the charge on not forgetting the unheard. I think their influence has boosted the reality of the necessity of the presence of music and has inspired other artists too (I think of Kendrick Lamar, and most of the music on his most recent album). Your analysis of movies/television shed light on an element of this movement that I think I forget about, but I’m glad you addressed an array of visual media, because, though they are different from other elements of media, they too show a vast amount about the communities producing them.
I like your approach to the abstract as explaining your perspective, goals, and methods. I think it is really important for readers to know where you are coming from and what you’re trying to accomplish. I also think your media choices were unique and the themes you outlined were appropriate.