Artika R. Tyner - Black Lives Matter: From Hashtag to the Streets

Black Lives Matter

From Hashtag to the Streets

Dr. Artika R. Tyner

Lerner Publications Minneapolis

Copyright 2021 by Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

All rights reserved. International copyright secured. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc., except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Tyner, Artika R., author.

Title: Black Lives Matter : from hashtag to the streets / Dr. Artika R. Tyner.

Description: Minneapolis : Lerner Publications , 2021. | Series: The fight for Black rights | Includes webography. | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Audience: Ages years | Audience: Grades | Summary: Started as a hashtag after the death of Trayvon Martin, Black Lives Matter has become one of the most significant protest movements of our time. See how its activists and demonstrators have changed the course of history Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020039176 (print) | LCCN 2020039177 (ebook) | ISBN 9781728429564 (Library Binding) | ISBN 9781728430232 (Paperback) | ISBN 9781728429625 (eBook)

Subjects: LCSH: Black lives matter movementJuvenile literature. | African Americans Civil rightsJuvenile literature. | United StatesRace relationsJuvenile literature. | Racial profiling in law enforcementUnited StatesJuvenile literature. | African AmericansSocial conditions21st centuryJuvenile literature. | African Americans Violence againstJuvenile literature. | Police brutalityUnited StatesJuvenile literature. | Political participationUnited StatesHistoryJuvenile literature. | Civil rights movementsUnited StatesHistory21st centuryJuvenile literature. | Political activistsUnited StatesHistoryJuvenile literature. | Kaepernick, Colin, 1987-Juvenile literature. | Garza, Alicia, 1981-Juvenile literature. | RacismUnited StatesHistory21st centuryJuvenile literature.

Classification: LCC E185.615 .T95 2021 (print) | LCC E185.615 (ebook) | DDC 323.1196/073 dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020039176

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020039177

Manufactured in the United States of America

CG 12/31/20

Table of Contents

Chapter Silent Protest

On September 1, 2016, all eyes were on 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. At the game a week earlier, he had sat on the bench during the US national anthem. This time, he knelt on the sideline. Kaepernick continued to kneel throughout the season. He was protesting police brutality against Black people.

Kaepernick was one of the most promising quarterbacks in the National Football League (NFL). Some supported his right to protest, but he received strong criticism from NFL fans and owners. Kaepernick was released at the end of the 2016 season. He was no longer in the NFL. But he continued to advocate against police brutality.

Kaepernicks protest brought new attention to the issue of racial injustice in America. For that moment, he became the face of the Black Lives Matter movement.

During the first week of the 2016 NFL season, eleven players knelt during the national anthem with Kaepernick. One of them was Eric Reid (left) of the San Francisco 49ers.