The Diminishing Black Lives Matter Movement in the UK
Introduction: In this article, we will discuss the status of the Black Lives Matter movement in the UK, particularly after the peak of protests in the summer of 2020. Despite the decrease in media attention, Black Lives Matter protests and marches are still occurring across the country, and many people are still committed to the movement.
Critical Overview: After the summer of 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement in the UK has received less media attention. While the movement has continued to organize protests and marches, these events are not as widely covered by the media, and there are concerns that some people may view Black Lives Matter as a passing trend. The movement initially focused on the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and later expanded to include other Black people who died during encounters with US police, such as Elijah McClain, Tony McDade, and Dion Johnson. The UK protests were organized in solidarity with the US movement, but some people worried that the protests were only a temporary trend.
Black Lives Matter Protests Continue in the UK: Despite the decrease in media attention, Black Lives Matter protests and marches are still taking place in the UK. The organization All Black Lives UK is responsible for ongoing marches in cities such as Manchester, Bristol, Sheffield, and Leeds. While the protests may not attract as many people as they did initially, the movement still resonates with many individuals, and they are committed to making their voices heard.
Lack of Government Engagement: There has been a lack of direct engagement between the UK government and Black Lives Matter organizations, according to Aima, an 18-year-old who helped organize protests in London in June 2020. The protests can engage with people who happen to see them, but the movement’s message is not reaching the people at the top. The UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced an inquiry into racial inequality following the protests but faced criticism for his comments that the UK is not a racist country and his use of the word “thuggery” to describe protesters. Aima and other organizers feel that they are being ignored, not being taken seriously, and are not being directly spoken to.
A Need for More Action: Many people who are part of the Black Lives Matter movement feel that more needs to be done to address racism in the UK. While there are conversations happening, these are often more of a society thing than a government thing. Racism is an issue that is easy for people in positions of authority to state publicly that they do not agree with, but what policies are they putting in place to make a difference? There is still a need to continue conversations, open dialogues, and ensure that everyone is doing their part to enforce change.
Conclusion: The Black Lives Matter movement in the UK has continued to organize protests and marches despite a decrease in media attention. However, there is a need for more government engagement and action to address racism in the UK. The movement may have lost its initial hype, but people are still committed to making their voices heard and to bringing about change.
