After the footage of the murder of Laquan McDonald was released, I was enraged and watched online while brave protesters in Chicago marched in the streets and then shut down Michigan Ave on black friday. Over on social media I witnessed a number of discussions that questioned the purpose of the protests and were skeptical that they could actually bring about reform. I understand this confusion but we actually have historical proof that marching against racial violence leads to greater government accountability.
I work on the NAACP’s fight to protect black lives from unjust state and private violence in the early part of the 20th century and decided to write something that contextualized the current #BlackLivesMatter marches. It was published online in the Monkey Cage blog for the Washington Post today.
Please check it here
