July 13
On July 13, 2013, the phrase ‘Black Lives Matter’ first appeared.
Alicia Garza is the woman behind the popular and thought provoking phrase “black lives matter.” After the acquittal of George Zimmerman in 2013, Garza took to Facebook to unload her feelings, writing what she called “a love letter to black people.”
In the “love letter” she expressed her sadness and frustration with the social climate and lack of justice for Trayvon Martin, saying “I continue to be surprised at how little Black lives matter.”
The phrase sparked a social justice movement that led to the creation of many activist organizations including Black Lives Matter, which was founded in 2013.
Today the phrase has been used in the advocacy of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Sandra Bland and so many others who have lost their lives as a result of racial injustice.
Sources
A&E Television Networks. (n.d.). The hashtag #blacklivesmatter first appears, sparking a movement | July 13, 2013. History.com. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/blacklivesmatter-hashtag-first-appears-facebook-sparking-a-movement
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