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This is a collation of interviews with Black Lives Matter protesters from around the world. Learn more about the reasons for demonstrating, the change they have triggered, the racism faced by people of colour, and the movement's potential. We thank everyone who has taken the time to speak with us. Conducted by Elizabeth Bratton.
Lexi Williams
Lexi decided to protest, because: "change starts with us first. If you want to make a change, you can’t sit around and wait for good to happen; you need to go out there and get it done. As a Black person who eats, sleeps, and breathes racism, I'm tired that this still exists today, tired that my brothers and sisters are being killed innocently because of the amount of melanin they produce, and most definitely tired that my existence is up for debate." Lexi partook in a peaceful protest at Chinguacousy park, held signs, and led chants. She finds it "completely enraging and sad that people have to prove that their life matters," and describes it as "sad" that she has had to "chant and yell" in order to be recognised. Speaking of the public's reaction, Lexi notes: "I've seen a lot of hate towards the protests", but believes it stems from taught "ignorance." Aside from that, however, she has "seen many new allies", which makes her feel "really important". However, she believes there is a way to go and hopes the public "continue to feel uncomfortable with this political movement, and learn how to educate, help, and do whatever they can to make this world a better place." Lexi lives in Canada, where "not only are black lives are being stripped away" but "indigenous lives as well, which makes Canada even worse". Describing the government's response, she states: "they're clearly not listening, but give us little things like painting a street with Black Lives Matter on it, or [kneel] to make us feel happy." She finds those in power are "completely disregarding the fact people are being hurt continuously."
Recalling her experiences as a Black person in Canada, Lexi says: "Mainly having white friends growing up, I probably experienced racism multiple times but disregarded it as a joke or wasn't even aware I was going through it." She has had "extra eyes on [her] in a grocery store", has been suspended from school for swearing in defence of a bullied friend, has been "rejected" for her race, and has been called the n-word multiple times.
Jayson Brown
Jayson decided to protest, as he "couldn't stand by and watch injustices happening in the world"; he simply would not have been "comfortable" doing so. The demonstration in which he partook was a peaceful one, and Jayson reportedly gained a sense of "wonder" from it.
He became involved on Instagram, and hopes the public learn that "Black people are still vulnerable to this day." Even on the day, he witnessed the effects of protesting, as "people who were just taking a walk" decided to join the activists.
Like Lexi, Jayson notes the particular importance of the movement in Canada, and believes "the government doesn't care about the people". He is equally critical of the media, which he believes "is biased", as "it only shows the bad, like the riots."
Ultimately, Jayson recalls: "I've had a lot of racism directed to me, I've had kids in grade school make fun of my hair, and call me and monkey, I've also had people try to tell me that I'm acting white because I'm punk." He describes this as "really stupid."
Srimathi Vadivel
When asked why she made the decision to protest, Srimathi explained:
"I felt like it was the least I could do, and since students from my school were the ones who made the protest possible, I wanted to show my support physically. I protested by making a sign that said “no justice, no peace!” and we walked around the city hall and streets shouting."
Srimathi endorses the Black Lives Matter Movement, because "everyone needs to be seen [as] equal in the eyes of the law". She began "researching" and finding ways to support the cause after watching the video of George Floyd's death, however believes the movement should have become prominent much earlier. "Hearing people's stoies and their lifelong fight against racism made me feel more educated about the situation," Srimathi explained. Although she lives in a diverse city, the activist notes that "it still has problems".
Many protesters, including Srimathi, believe that the peaceful protests are less likely to receive vast media coverage. Although local newspapers did write about this particular demonstration, which was "great to see", Srimathi hopes "people can see that not all protests are riots." However, she does share a level of empathy with the violent protesters, due to the "anger that [has] built up for generations."
She also hopes "laws get passed to make sure police get held accountable for their actions. I hope that cops get more training on resolving conflicts, [rather than] just pulling out their gun." Srimathi continues, "We have to also defund the police and put that money towards schooling, homelessness, and other things that’ll help lower crime rates."
Srimathi believes the movement is particularly necessary in America, due to "their history with the Black community", who "can’t keep fighting for their rights every single day for decades." Simply, she puts it :"It’s tiring to keep asking the government to care about their lives. Black people are humans." According to Srimathi, these protests should be particularly monumental for Americans as "this is the country where the movement started" and "this country has seen time and time again that Black people are treated less fairly and as lower class citizens."
Criticising politicians' responses, Srimathi says the government "aren't reacting the way they should", and notes that actions such as kneeling for 8 minutes 46 seconds are inadequate. She concludes: "People want change with laws and policies, not streets to be painted with “Black Lives Matter”. The media have also come under fire for showing "the worst of the worst".
Srimathi is not Black, so notes she has not "dealt with racism the same way [Black people] have." However, she has "dealt with prejudice against Indians", which is "hurtful, but is nowhere near close to the systemic racism" faced by Black people "on a daily basis," She recalls, "As a highschooler, most of the racist comments I hear are just obnoxious comments, and people saying racial slurs when they shouldn’t. People tend to think their prejudiced comments on others races are “funny”, but I hope they learn that there are better jokes to make."
Eli Frances
Eli believes: "as a queer Brown man living in America, it is my duty to fight with my Black brothers and sisters." Therefore, he organised a peaceful protest alongside other members of the Filipino community, to show "solidarity and support".
He went on to describe the uprisings as a "wake-up call for America". While Eli never intends to protest for personal gain, he has met new friends that have helped to educate him about "what's happening within the Black community."
In this case, demonstrators found that the public in San Francisco was "very supportive", despite blocking a "whole road and a couple [of] busy intersections." He hopes they learn to "use their voice, privilege, platform, and right to protest", in order to collectively "amplify the voice of the Black community."
"It will be the younger generations carrying the torch,"
In a similar fashion to many other respondents, Eli believes the media are "still filtering what’s really happening out there," in an attempt to make it "palitable to some people." According to this activist, "Big news / media companies are not to be trusted at all."
Eli has been a victim of racism within the LGBTQ+ community, Having been on the receiving ends of comments such as "it's just a preference", or "I've always liked Asian men", he has learnt that such people "don't deserve [his] attention."
Amaya
Amaya decided to advocate, after realising she "couldn't stay silent" on this matter. She explains: "my school has the highest hate crimes and racial incidents in my county", and that her mother, who is Black, is the same age as George Floyd. She adds, "My dad was also a cop, so the movement deeply affected me."
Defining the movement in a few words is a challenge, but Amaya believes it "means fighting against a system of oppression and brutality and racism built on slave raiding practices, et cetera." Like Jayson, she initially became involved in the movement on social media. As her father is a police officer, their views differ; until now, Amaya "was not as educated on the difference between Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter."
Personally, this activist "gained encouragement from protesting", because she witnessed support from her community, rather than prejudice. "It gave me hope and courage for the future not just of our county but our country."
Amaya hopes the public learn that racism "affects even the smallest communities, because this is a systemic problem, weaved into out nation's history." Specifically, she notes America "was built on the backs" of slaves, amongst other "strong people of colour". Therefore, she hopes to see increased investment into Black communities.
Discussing the movement's future, Amaya thinks it "will extend beyond the police to jails and address mass incarceration." From there, she hopes it will reach "the very core" of government, and affects voting patterns to the point that politicians have to instigate serious reform. "If not, I hope the people continue to protest, until the officials are forced to serve justice, no matter their beliefs."
Amaya explains: "I think the national government’s reaction has been uniformed and ill-natured", as racism "stems from the core of our society: the government." Attempting to understand their response, she says:" I think they’re scared that the change will cause them to seemingly “lose power” by giving some up to the minority/ oppressed groups, which has caused them to go on the offensive."
Speaking of the media's portrayal, Amaya is also of the view that too many outlets "emphasise the looting and rioting". Specifically, she notes, that Fox News displayed a chart hat compared the death of Floyd Rodney King to rising stocks, "which is unrelated and frankly disgusting." Therefore, she concludes: "Social media has been far more accurate."
Living in America, Amaya has "experienced racism in extreme instances and small instances." Specifically in the south, she has "been excluded from public places, even though [she's] mixed." Amaya continues, "I’ve been not allowed seats at restaurants and [I've been] barred from public pools. In my hometown, people at my school and schools in my area have made threats". Specifically, they have used racial slurs to threaten groups they wish to shoot. "All this and I’m mixed. I cannot imagine the pain of Black people darker than me."
After the protests, Amaya's grandfather cried "because he was so happy". He recalled how Black people "have been protesting since Martin Luther King," and continued: I’m glad I see a generation who really cares and is making a change.”
Ash
Ash attended three protests in Newcastle city centre, UK. Explaining her decision, she states: "I felt that the acts of American, and to a lesser extent UK, police were unacceptable." Black Lives Matter has "always been so so important" to Ash, and her desire to help was furthered after reading a book about the movement's history.
"I felt like I'd helped make a difference," explained Ash, who posted about the protests on social media. She hopes such footage will "encourage others to do the same".
Overall, Ash feels that news outlets portrayed the protesters "well". However, she recalls, "at the second protest, we were met with hundreds of English Defence League members, who were there intending to protect the monuments in town." Ash explains that the demonstrators "did not want to attack anything", yet were targeted by the launching of "bottles and cans". Thus, she acknowledges that the far right are still active.
Describing her hopes for the movement, Ash believes police in the UK "are still over-funded, and have too much power." She elaborates; "they have been known to kill people, even without access to guns." Noting the UK's "strong connection" to America, she explains: "it is important that the BLM movement [in] the USA know that we stand with them."
Ash witnesses casual racism regularly. "Thankfully, not usually around any people of colour, but you can see that it is ingrained into our society." She refers to those who "casually" use the n-word, or other racial slurs, and criticises "the cultural appropriation caused by overuse of fake tan and stealing of black hairstyles."
Sarah
Finally, we spoke to Sarah, who resides in France. While partaking in a BLM protest in Paris, demonstrators were tear gassed by police. This account has been edited for conciseness and clarity.
In Paris, a protest was organised in pursuit of justice for a man named Adama, who died in police custody. The protesters' intention was to march, but the police prohibited this, and blocked the roads for the 20,000 demonstrators. Sarah emphasises that everyone was peaceful, but that police still used tear gas against them. She recalls, "No-one was hurt, because we were all able to rush into stores", however she notes that there were elderly people and children on the street. Sarah explains, "It might seem like these actions could be justified by the police, considering we were stopping traffic and it was technically illegal", however, in December, rail workers striked, protested in a similar fashion, and caused mass disruption, but were met with no police resistance. She concludes: "I think there is a major difference here between "unfair wages" and your right to live". She explains that protesters should have every right to block the streets "on a Saturday afternoon for an hour", when people are dying. Sarah expresses concern about the media's portrayal of the protests, as Google "only shows the police getting injured".
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