In today’s modern America, the use of hastags is everywhere- you see them on billboards, commericals, and every interface of the Internet. Hashgtags are used to distinguish and index a specific topic, making it easier to search and view on social media. As the popularity of hastags continues to grow, they are reaching far beyond the virtual world of the Internet, but can they reach far enough into “the real world” to spread a messages of change and commence social activism? The answer, I believe, is yes. The hashtag “#BlackLivesMatter” has become much more than just a simple hashed index on social media- it has evolved into an activist movement and political platform that fights to end racially fueled police violence against black people. The…show more content… The hashtag first appeared by Alicia Garza, on Facebook, after the Zimmer acquittal; she describes her response as “a love note to black people”, where she yearned for the black community to come together and assure “that black lives matter”. (Gyunn 2015). The Black Lives Matter platform was later built and expanded upon by Garza and two other women, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi; all of which are credited as cofounders of…show more content… The campaign describes itself as “An agenda to resist President Trump and end police violence”. In the campaigns open letter to the public, they state “We, the protestors, believe that that our nation can only be great when it affirms and empowers all. All must mean all, and include especially those who define the global majority but whom American practices have confined to the margins”. Campaign Zero encourages members to follow the progress of federal, state, and local legislators in their attempts too address police
