The Forms of Resistance to American Institutions on Communities of Color
Though the effects of institutional oppression have immensely hurt black and marginalized communities, the resistance brought forth from this oppression has led to the creation of unique ways to fight against these institutions. Through both cultural and organizational avenues, black communities and allies have expressed the effects of racism in America and are actively fighting against it.
Artwork
The Black Lives Matter organization has launched several Art Campaigns centered around the equality and recognition of Black lives. Much of the artwork presented focuses on seeing a future of true black equality and is centered around hope for the future and black pride. The cultural reflection of black oppression in America doesn't look at the problem as something that can't be fixed. Artwork like this is centered on making the world a better place for all minorities, through artwork like this, the future and vision of a truly equal America isn't just a dream.
Movies, Documentaries, and Shows
The Innocence Files: A docuseries that reviews and discusses wrongful 8 convictions that are reviewed by the Innocence Project. This show reflects the shortcomings of the criminal justice system and the racial flaws within it.
#blackAF: A comedic show documenting and analyzing black culture, stereotypes, and treatment of black people in American Society. Despite the shows hilarious appearance it's undertones on American institutions speak volumes.
Dear White People: A social commentary show characterized by complex levels of comedy and drama. The setting is centered around black college students in an ivy league school setting.
13th: This documentary analyzes and reviews the criminal justice system, how slavery emerges in the prison system, and the effects of the War on Drugs on minority communities.
The Hate You Give: A fictional movie about the effects of police brutality on black communities. Its seen through the perspective of a young black teenage girl who goes to a private, majority white school, who witnesses the shooting of a childhood friend by a police officer.
Queen and Slim: A romantic drama, centered around the two main characters killing a police officer in self-defense and are forced to go on the run.
Grassroots Organizations
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is one of the oldest and largest Civil Rights Activist organizations in the United States.
Black Lives Matter was founded in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin's murderer in 2013, Black Lives Matter aims to end white supremacy and violence in black communities.
The Black Youth Project was founded to amplify the voices of younger black generations and to explore how these groups navigate the political, cultural, and sexual challenges within these generations.
The Bail Project is a national organization founded to defend marginalized peoples against the criminal justice system through raising bails and keeping these individuals out of the prison system.
The Black Vision Project is an organization designed to amplify the voices of Black people in America. With the specific goal of creating spaces to aid in the change and growth of black communities and individuals.
The Black Women's Blueprint is an organization that focuses on the intersectional issues of black women in America. It works to tackle issues specific to Black Women while still focusing on racial injustice.
The George Floyd Protests
2020 marked a dark time for black Americans, with the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the topic of police brutality and institutionalized oppression became the forefront of the United States and the world. When two innocent African Americans were killed at the hands of law enforcement, and no justice was given to those killed, the U.S. erupted. While navigating a global pandemic, millions of U.S. citizens mobilized in support and protest in the unrighteous deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. The protests garnered national attention, shedding light on the depravity of law enforcement in America to the world. The treatment of protesters further spurred action among citizens and the nation faced what many claimed to be a second ongoing civil rights movement. The protests spurred a new form of resistance. One that utilizes social media, younger generations, and a hunger for justice. Its creation has marked the beginning of an active resistance the world has not seen for over half a century. With new ideas now emerging left and right, one which also garnered national attention now as defund the police. Though no one knows for certain if this form of resistance will continue to emerge overtime, it is one worth paying attention to, and one definitely worth being a part of.