Beyond the Hashtag (event)

 I had the pleasure to get to attend the virtual presentation "Beyond the Hashtag". Patrisse Cullors was the guest speaker who has always been an activist and artist, as she mentioned, in regards to race and racism. More specifically, she is one of the people behind the "Black lives Matter" hashtag. The Black lives Matter Movement literally started put as a hashtag to a network and now it grew into chapters. As Cullors explained this movement has evolved so much and continues to get stronger as many people have jumped in and have become activists. 

I really enjoyed how Cullors talked about the recent election and stated that the BLM movement was demanding a change and that change happened to be Biden. She stated that the still want change when the Biden administration is officially in the White House. Cullors stated that Biden is being held accountable from there on out and is expected to make the change BLM has been fighting for. She also mentioned how this change was nearly impossible with the Trump administration. The only power they had was the power to vote. Cullors made a comment that I absolutely adore: 

"When they don't listen, we take our power to the ballot box". 

And that is just what BLM did... BIDEN 2020!!

This quote was the number one thing that stood out for me during the presentation and I cannot love it any more. Voting is sososo important especially during this election. Cullors was asked how she meausures success of the BLM movement and she said the fact that we won the election says it all. "We voted out white supremacy" -This was so powerful!

Another quote that stood out for me was his...

"Misinformation is used to minimize social movements"

After stating this, Cullors began to explain that the misinformation by leaders (Trump) was used to try and get rid of the BLM movement altogether. 

This talk/event can be connected to the reading we had for class that was Ginwright and Cammarots's piece that was about Advocacy and Social Justice. It explained the plus's to using the social justice approach in youth development. This YDEV focuses on the social and economic forces that affect the youth. In using this approach and helping the youth in regards to the systems affecting them, we are able to be advocates and help the youth also advocate for the social justice issues they are most affected by. This talk really expressed how being an activist is the motor for change. Cullors really emphasized getting out there and speaking up for what you believe in. If we take the advice from Ginwright and Cammarots reading, our youth will be able to make the change needed just as Cullors has done and continues to do.