Black lives Matter

Maylin Alzate

SYA4010 – Sociological Theories

Professor: Douglas Kincaid

03/28/2023

Research proposal

Undeniably, the emergence of the Black Lives Matter in the U.S. in 2013 was seen as a response to the release of George Zimmerman, who had murdered an unarmed African American youth Trayvon Martin. Since then, the movement has gained widespread attention, and this accelerated global demonstrations and protests against brutality from security forces and social inequities and injustices. The primary objective of this research is to understand the Black Lives Matter movement by examining its participants, their motivations, and the methods used to achieve its objectives. Specifically, the research seeks to answer the following questions:

1. Who participates in the Black Lives Matter movement, and what are their demographics, socio-economic status, and political affiliations?

1. How do participants engage in the movement, and what forms of activism and communication do they use?

1. What are the objectives of the Black Lives Matter movement, and how are they communicated to the public?

1. What consequences have arisen from the Black Lives Matter movement, including changes in public policy, societal attitudes, and social justice movements?

By answering these questions, this research aims to contribute to the ongoing conversation surrounding social justice movements and their impact on society. In addition, this research seeks to explore the role of technology and social media in the Black Lives Matter movement. The use of social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook has allowed the movement to rapidly spread its message, organize protests, and mobilize support. This research will investigate how the use of technology has influenced the participation, communication, and effectiveness of the movement, as well as how it has contributed to the movement's overall impact on society. By examining the intersection of social justice movements and technology, this research can provide insights into the potential for digital activism to shape and influence social change (Faust et al., 2019).

References

Faust, A., Johnson, D., Guignard, Z., Adechoubou, S., Harlos, C., Fennelly, M., & Castañeda, E. (2019). Black lives matter and the movement for Black lives.  Social Movements, 1768–2018, 240-253.