Section 4

Alicia Garza’s 2013 Facebook post “I continue to be surprised at how little Black lives matter” and Patrice Cullors’ response with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter provided the spark for this most recent phase of the Black struggle in the United States. Movements under the banner of BLM have had repercussions around the world, and activists have incorporated a translation of the slogan — “Vidas Negras Importam” — as they continue to fight the ongoing genocide of Black people in Brazil.  Waves of protest and a storm of online activity following the ongoing and senseless murders in both countries since 2013 have solidified #BlackLivesMatter/#VidasNegrasImportam as rallying cries used by artists, athletes, and activists in a multitude of compelling ways. This section references both lives lost and the strategies used to call attention to and demand an end to policies and practices that constrain Black life.