“Black Lives Matter is a chapter-based national organization working for the validity of Black life.” The goal of this movement is to re-build Black liberation in the United States. The movement, usually used as a hashtag in social media, #BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2012 by Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi and Alicia Garza. It was created after Trayvon Martin, an unarmed teenager was murdered by a neighborhood watch member named George Zimmerman. Zimmerman was acquitted for his crime and dead Trayvon Martin was post-humously placed on trial for his own murder.
African Americans were outraged with the outcome of Trayvon Martin’s trial, but instead of reacting in violence, Cullors, Tometi and Garza used “#BlackLivesMatter as a call-to-action and a response to the virulent anti-Black racism that permeates our society. “Rooted in the experiences of Black people in this country who actively resist our de-humanization.” The movement affirms the lives of Black queer and trans-genders, Black disabled people, Black undocumented people, Blacks with criminal records, Black men and women, and all Black lives along the gender spectrum to have a voice and fight for their rights.
The goal of the Black Lives Matter movement is to bring a group of people together in order to find a safe place where they can fight where they feel paralyzed. The organization targets all the areas where Black people are left powerless at the hands of the state. This movements allows Blacks to discuss the ways in which Black lives are deprived of our basic human rights and dignity and fight to make a difference. They are striving for ALL Black lives’ liberation.
The movement has been so powerful that it even reached CSU Channel Islands campus. In late March, early April of 2016, CSU Channel Islands made history with its outstanding Motown @CI Spring Production. It was the talk of the University for the entire running of its show. The production, directed by Channel Islands Professors, Dr. Paul Murphy and Dr. Catherine Burriss, was about the music that broke African American artist out of the label “race music.” Founder, Berry Gordy, created Hitsville U.S.A in Detroit, Michigan, where the Motown sound was born. Motown @ CI takes the audience on a journey about the careers of some of the most popular vocalist and musicians to date. Motown is responsible for the sounds of The Supremes, Jackson 5 and Mary Wells. It was the most successful African American record company in its time and all races enjoyed the fun, catchy music.
One of the underlining themes of the production was the Black Lives Matter movement. With outstanding scenes reenacting how “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye came to fruition, Motown @ CI acknowledged the hardships of being an African American but also celebrated the triumphs of the Black culture. This gave Black students who were in the production and who came to see the show an opportunity to feel safe and recognized. The production made history on CSU Channel Islands campus, just like the Motown sound did with breaking the racial boundaries in society.
What’s Going On
Musical arrangement by Brittany Lambert
Vocal arrangement by Paul Murphy
Lead Vocals-Luke Hardeman
Backing Vocals-Andrea Mendez-Bye, Kailin Doucette, Leslie Garcia
“What’s Going On” was composed by Marvin Gaye and The Four Tops’ bass singer, Renaldo “Obie” Benson. This song was written after Benson witnessed an incident of police brutality against African-Americans in Berkeley, CA. The poignant lyrics describe the need for social change in 1960’s America, but Berry Gordy initially refused to release it. He finally gave in and the song reached #2 on the pop charts.