https://padlet.com/fernandoordonez/zqpxd4i49xr58qvs Made with wonder en-us 2020-09-14 15:16:26 UTC 2023-03-09 08:38:58 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f1fa-1f1f8.png fernandoordonez https://padlet.com/fernandoordonez/zqpxd4i49xr58qvs/wish/744376506 BLACK LIVES MATTER
In the United States and many other countries around the world, people are protesting against the mistreatment of Black
people, especially by (mostly white) police officers, whose job is to serve and protect them. Hundreds of thousands of
people in the US and around the world are going into the streets holding signs and marching to raise awareness of the
problems faced by people in the Black community. For many decades, Black people have been treated unfairly compared
with people of European descent and others. Often they have not been given the same advantages –for instance, not hired
for jobs or unfairly harassed. Time and again, Black people have protested this unfair treatment. While there have been
some improved changes and accountability in policing, there continue to be many challenges.
Then on May 25, a Black man named George Floyd was killed by police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They were
arresting him for a relatively minor alleged offense. He did not deserve the treatment he got and he did not deserve to die.
Because it was caught on video, everyone around the world saw the brutally unfair treatment
of Floyd at the hands of the police. The four police officers who killed George Floyd were
fired from their jobs and have been charged with murder (in one case) or aiding and abetting
murder or manslaughter (in three cases).
After Floyd’s death, as well as other recent racist incidents (in the US and other countries
including Canada) many protests took place. Hundreds of thousands of people in many
countries have marched to raise awareness about racism against Black people and the need to
find a solution. Many protesters use the slogan “Black Lives Matter.” and many of the
protests in the United States and around the world have been peaceful although some of the protests, especially in the US,
became violent.
Many peaceful protests have been held before. In 2017, American football player Colin Kaepernick and others began
“taking a knee” during the American national anthem. That meant they knelt down before their football games. They did it
to protest Black people being treated unfairly by police. It was a peaceful way to protest a very important issue. However,
Kaepernick and others who “took a knee” faced enormous opposition to this peaceful action, including from Donald
Trump, the president of the United States, as well as many of the owners of the football teams. (Those owners this week
admitted they had been wrong.) Often, there are many sides to complex issues. However, there is never “another side” to
racism. Racism –judging someone by the colour of their skin– is always wrong.
On the weekend, Minneapolis’ city council (the politicians who run the city where George Floyd was killed) said their
police force needs to be dismantled (taken apart). They want a new system of law enforcement and new laws to better
protect Black people. Some cities are having discussions about defunding police forces, and using that money to create a
better system of policing that is more fair for everyone.
On Saturday, however, Minneapolis’ mayor, Jacob Frey, said he is opposed to abolishing the police force completely.
People around the world are following this situation carefully to see what will be done. The protests are continuing and
people are discussing what can be done to make things better for Black people. Many people of all races are listening to
what Black people have to say, so they can better understand and support them.
Thank you to Nadine Chevolleau and Natasha Henry for their invaluable assistance in developing this article.
Image by Patrick Behna from Pixabay.
Text adapted for educational purposes from “Black Lives Matter”, written by By Joyce Grant for Teaching Kids News]]> 2020-09-14 15:16:26 UTC https://padlet.com/fernandoordonez/zqpxd4i49xr58qvs/wish/744376506 fernandoordonez https://padlet.com/fernandoordonez/zqpxd4i49xr58qvs/wish/744376514 2020-09-14 15:16:26 UTC https://padlet.com/fernandoordonez/zqpxd4i49xr58qvs/wish/744376514