Semiotic Analysis of the Black Lives Matter Movement (Essay Sample)

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Semiotic Analysis of Black Lives Matter Movement
The Black Lives Matter movement has been making headlines recently for the attention it has received. It is a movement that began in the United States but has seen developing interest and support from countries all around the world. The movement and its leader, Alicia Garza have been able to garner international recognition in only a few short months. This has swept the country in an uproar and when looking at the literature about Black Lives Matter we can see that this is greatly due to the amount of media attention it has gained.
Black Lives Matter was founded by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi during November of 2014 after the murder of Michael Brown. The main idea behind the movement is that Black lives matter, and black people are killed by law enforcement officers at a disproportionate rate (Black Lives Matter). However, the movement has since received much more attention than its founders ever expected. This attention has come from both countries abroad and also cities within the United States. In many cases this has been because of the small groups of protesters that have gathered in different areas around the world to spread their message about police brutality against African American people. Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown are both examples of this as they were both African American males who were killed by police officers.
Many people have seen the BLM movement as an attempt to get justice for the senseless murder of Michael Brown, however it seems that there is much more going on behind the scenes. "Black Lives Matter" is an ideological and political intervention in a world where Black lives are systematically and intentionally targeted for demise. It is an affirmation of Black people's contributions to society, humanity, and resilience in the face of deadly oppression. This affirmation is a celebration of our contributions to the world we want to live in. Black Lives Matter is not a one-dimensional movement. It's about black people collectively asserting our humanity, as well as defending ourselves from violence and oppression.
Marked by powerful visuals and compelling slogans that often play off cultural clichés, the Black Lives Matter movement has emerged as a significant challenge to America’s “post-racial” identity. This discussion will examine ways in which BLM has used semiotic analysis to engage with the American culture and persuade its audiences. It seems like an unassuming statement at first glance- it just says "black lives matter". These words are not just a slogan or a hashtag, they have become a symbol for a larger movement; Black Lives Matter. The message is clear when it is written out but the meaning behind it is more complex, and that is where semiotic analysis comes into play.
Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols, including banners and symbols used during protests, that are used to convey messages to their audience. The Black Lives Matter movement was designed with specific messages in mind, along with different ways they can show these messages through various cues and symbols. The use of these cues and symbols is what has made the BLM movement so effective in changing the attitudes of many Americans (Borysovych, et al. 325). The movement has built a platform to provide information and reassurance to those who have been forced to face racial issues on a daily basis. Through their signs and symbols, they are making their audience aware that the time for change is here.
The movement uses signs and symbols of popular culture to present its message to the public. The way in which they use these symbols is what makes their message significant. They have taken symbols such as the "hands up don't shoot", "Hands up, walk out" and "Black Power" to demonstrate their message (Brehman 78). The visuals of these signs appeal to all demographics and are all very recognizable without any prior knowledge of BLM being necessary. They have also used public gatherings, online videos for their website and social media as a way to spread their message. These are all methods they have been able to use to spread their message and gain support from audiences all over the world.
The BLM movement has been able to gain momentum because they have created an iconography that can be associated with many different ideas. The "hands up don't shoot" symbol is connected with the idea of innocence and it helps reinforce the movement's stance on police brutality in America (Brehman 78). The "walk out" connection supports their stance in regards to calling for gun control reform. The now famous slogan "Black Lives Matter" is placed at the end of all of these ideas to make it seem like they are all connected. This has made the symbol more appealing to those who have already been persuaded by the movement and makes it appealing to those who are not aware of what the Black Lives Matter movement is about. In a way, this has helped this movement spread quickly and maybe it can last longer than they originally thought.
The BLM movement has also been able to make others aware of its existence through the use of symbolic actions. They have used these actions to show that they are not backing down and are willing to take whatever action is necessary to ensure public safety for all people. The use of these symbols will make the public more aware of what is going on behind the scenes when it comes to police brutality against black people in America. These actions are effective in gaining support and attention from the general public because, as stated above, they can be easily recognized. The public has been able to take part in these symbolic actions by watching videos of them online. They'll gain support from these videos by being moved by these symbols and will want to do something about them, thereby showing their support for BLM.
The Black Lives Matter movement uses the sign of a raised fist during protests or gatherings. This symbol is connected with the idea of solidarity and strength. The raised fist signifies that the movement will not be silenced and they are taking a stand against the racism that occurs in America. It is shown during rallies or during protest marches to show those who are going through hardships that they have a community behind them and they can feel safer knowing that there are many people willing to protect them. It is also used as a sign that the movement is growing and they are no longer feeling alone in their fight. This symbol has been able to spread around the world quickly by being extremely recognizable yet it still has a strong message behind it that is able to be understood by everyone regardless of education or experience. This symbol will continue to spread around the world and maybe even go viral if it ever takes off. The BLM movement will continue to use symbols like the clenched fist to make their meaning clear and strengthen their solidarity with one another.