MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) – During recent protests around Memphis, demonstrators have painted signs with “Black Lives Matter.” However, what is Black Lives Matter?
Black Lives Matter is often used as a slogan, hashtag, or a rallying cry, but Black Lives Matter is officially a chapter-based national organization dedicated to validating all black life, regardless of age, background, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, disability, etc.
“Our approach is expansive,” Briana Perry, member of the coordinating committee of Black Lives Matter Memphis. “We don’t just focus on police brutality.”
The Official Black Lives Matter Memphis Chapter has been registered with the national network and follows the guiding principles of the organization to maintain structure, accountability, and measurable goals.
Chapter leaders said just because protesters use the Black Lives Matter slogan does not mean they are officially affiliated with the group.
“Anybody that cares about black lives can champion the movement, but at the same time there is a national network,” supporter Earl Fisher said.
The Black Lives Matter Memphis Coordinating Committee released this statement:
Any individual or entity that organizes under the name or hashtag “Black Lives Matter” is acting independently of the official chapter and national organization. While we support and encourage their efforts, they need to only be reported as a “Black Lives Matter affiliate” or as “operating as part of the Black Lives Matter movement.” Many have held activities under this handle, but we cannot be held responsible with their body of work. We believe this distinction being made will prevent any further confusion going forward in the community. All events organized by us will be tagged “The Official Black Lives Matter Memphis Chapter.”
Minister Devante Hill has been a central figure in the recent Black Lives Matter affiliated protests. He has insisted that his protests be referred to as One Memphis, One Vision.
“Instead of ‘Black Lives Matter,’ the movement is One Memphis, One Vision, and that’s standing for urban minorities in the city,” Hill said.
Black Lives Matter said it also calls attention to black economics by lifting up black-owned businesses. Another issue the group focuses on is the acknowledgment of contributions that black people have made to society. The group says these contributions often get ignored or proper credit isn’t given.
Perry also addressed the claims that “Black Lives Matter” is a racist movement.
“Racism is prejudice plus power,” Perry said. “It’s a system about power dynamics, and people of color usually don’t have that power. The majority, which are white people, have usually held this power. People of color also haven’t benefited from this system.”
Perry said calling out racism isn’t racist.
“It is a response to injustice white supremacy and violence that has been heaped upon black bodies,” Fisher said.
“We fight for all black lives regardless of religion, gender,” BLM Outreach Coordinator William Young said. “If it’s in the movement it’s not necessarily in the chapter.”
Tuesday’s protests and Monday’s town hall meeting garnered a lot of criticism against the Black Lives Matter Movement. Most critics were saying the organization was unorganized.
Black Lives Matter Memphis said those events were not organized by them. Perry responded to these claims.
“Organization is a process,” Perry said. “If you listen to civil rights leaders Diane Nash, John Lewis, and James Lawson, you’ll hear them say that everything wasn’t planned out. A lot of things happened organically and wasn’t as organized as it appeared to be.”
Organizations have to respond to community needs; as those needs change, so does the organization, whether pre-planned or not, must change as well.
Perry further said she doesn’t feel the protest on Elvis Presley Boulevard was unorganized. She knows that the people responsible have a track record of organizing, and she trusts their leadership.
“It won’t be solved by one moment, one meeting, one demonstration,” Fisher said.
Memphians can get involved with the local chapter by attending membership meetings.
They’re held the first Saturday in every month. Locations will vary based on availability, and so will meeting times. However, they’re usually in the afternoon. The membership process is being revised, but as of now there are no membership dues.
The chapter plans to move forward and sit down with high ranking city officials, in an attempt to create solutions to the city’s problems.
It especially wants to work with Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dorsey Hopson, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell.
Currently the Memphis chapter holds a free lunch program every Wednesday. These are held in different communities, depending on need, and it’s open to kids and adults.
“We know that child hunger in the summer is high,” Perry said. “Kids aren’t getting the breakfasts and lunches that are provided during school.”
Perry highlighted on the value of college student participation.
“One of our principals is that we’re intergenerational,” Perry said. “You’re never too young or too old to get involved.”
Any college student interested in working with the local chapter is encouraged to attend a membership meeting.
Black Lives Matter Memphis also works with other local organizations such as SisterReach, 901 Evolution, Grassroot National Black United Front, Memphis Grassroots Organizations Coalition, and the Memphis Feminist Collective.
““It is a response to injustice white supremacy and violence that has been heaped upon black bodies,” Fisher said.”
Is this idiot out of his mind? If it’s a “response to violence that has been heaped upon black bodies”, it’s about 150 years too late.
Today’s problem involves black people inflicting violence upon white bodies, and all crime statistics will prove that. I think this moron is grasping at straws for something to cry about so he can be the next Al Sharpton instead of getting himself a goddamn job. How about a black holocaust? Is that next?
“Six million blacks were thrown into ovens by evil Aryans during the civil war”. Go ahead. Say it on TV and a million idiots will believe it, but you’re shoveling ALL your BS in the wrong direction when it gets to me.
The FIRST thing black people need to learn is real history, and the difference between white people and Jews.
“Chapter leaders said just because protesters use the Black Lives Matter slogan does not mean they are officially affiliated with the group.”
Sounds to me like #blacklivesmatter wants to distance themselves form the actions of #blacklivesmatter so they can avoid the “terrorist” label.
NOTHING WORSE THAN A RACIST NIGGER