“In order for there to be a brighter future for all, we must be points of light for those in need.”
From Minneapolis to Los Angeles, Washington D.C. to Istanbul, demonstrations around the world has taken place in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. This movement advocates for civil rights and fights against the systemic racism that has persisted in countries the world over. Since May 25, the day George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis, the energy behind the movement has not ceased to waver, and there is more support for it than in prior years: according to a Washington Post-Scholar Poll, nearly 3 out of every 4 Americans support the protests, compared to only 40% in a similar poll done in2018. Although there is still a lot of work to be done, it is encouraging and reassuring that solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement has grown.
Media coverage has played a key role in bringing international awareness and attention to the movement, in addition to shedding light on the issue of racial inequality from both national and global perspectives. From the perspective of many in India, discrimination on the basis of the conditions one is born into has been a social reality fuelled by the country’s entrenched caste system. This reality is one that Hamsa, a graduate of Sahasra Deepika, shed light on when she spoke about her perspective towards the BLM movement. She also made clear the impact of the media in bringing attention to police brutality, and how that has shaped her view of the United States and its institutions:
“Being an Indian, I thought the US was the most ideal country in the world, but as everyone is seeing in the news, America has not been taking Black lives into account. The job of the police force is to protect the people of the nation and prevent them from being in danger; here [in the US], rather, I see the police system, which was supposed to help and protect all people, against Black Americans and is punishing and killing them because of their skin color. In India, we have also faced discrimination because of our [skin] shade and through the caste system, so we extend our solidarity.”
—Hamsa, SD Class of 2017
Hamsa’s perspective attests to the role the media plays in influencing how we perceive the matters and issues facing our world today. This makes it especially crucial that we, as consumers of mass media and information, take the time to verify all that we are being told to the best of our ability. By doing this, our opinions are more authentic and educated, and we can then do our part in educating others. As emphasized in Sahasra Deepika’s previous post on BLM, education is a crucial part of fostering such changes, whether it be in oneself, one’s family, one’s neighborhood, or country. In being central to the mission and work of Sahasra Deepika, education has also proven to be a force for equality.
By having access to media, SD girls like Hamsa have been able to witness movements such as BLM unfold around the world. Through their character, they have drawn parallels between their personal experiences and those of their Black brothers and sisters around the world, as both have been victims of unfair treatment and inequality because of the conditions they were born into, such as socioeconomic circumstance and/or skin color. Their education has empowered them to form and voice their opinions regarding racial inequality with poise, confidence, and eloquence. Information, character, and education have led them to stand in solidarity with the BLM movement and serve as role models for their peers. They are truly carrying forward the mission of Sahasra Deepika: the gift of education they received has empowered them to educate others. This cycle of education and empowerment is one we should all adopt in our own lives so that we can use our access to information and opportunity to become well-informed about the societies and communities we live in, and then do our part in educating those around us.
Let’s each do our part in the BLM movement by educating ourselves, becoming involved, and taking action; in order for there to be a brighter future for all, we must be points of light for those in need.
#blacklivesmatter
