Racism; noun
“A belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others.a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.” –https://www.dictionary.com/browse/racism#:~:text=noun,is%20inferior%20to%20the%20others.
Racism has existed through history, having an effect on different races, skin colours, ethnicities , languages and cultures. Although it isn’t always shown through words and slurs, but also actions too, leaving people feeling helpless. this attitude many people harvest within them has had an effect on many workplaces and industries, such as the fashion, music and beauty industry, as well as many others.
THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT
“I can’t breathe” – George Floyd
This man, George Floyd, sparked a long awaited movement on the 25th of May 2020, when he was killed in Minneapolis by white police men when one knelt on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes while he was handcuffed and lying face down. He lay there begging for his life and repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe”.
Since that day, The black lives matter movement has spread worldwide to make people aware of the injustice of police violence in America, focusing on black Americans brutalised or killed by law enforcement officers, who rarely face consequences for their actions. The death of George Floyd has had a huge impact on the people living in the US, with many people of all races and ethnicities rising up against the police to get justice for the many victims of unnecessary police violence. Many of the riots held in America were peaceful, however, some progressed into more violent ones, leading officers to use tear gas, and rubber bullets to contain the crowds.
People worldwide have been sharing stories of other people like George Floyd, who have been brutally attacked by police forces for no strong reason. Information and awareness for other people affected have been shared on Social media; instagram, twitter, facebook etc. One hashtag in particular is the #SayTheirNames campaign . It encourages social media users to share the names of victims of police brutality. The campaign includes taking and sharing the incidents that killed them and to focus on their individual humanity and use their names.
KNOW THEIR NAMES: