Your task is to choose a social movement/protest and undertake research into it as a case study. You should think of this as an essay-type assignment with the accompanying expectation that you will analyse the academic literature and its debates, not simply report descriptively on the major events associated with a particular protest movement. There are several steps to go through in completing this task.

QUESTION

Your task is to choose a social movement/protest and undertake research into it as a case study. You should think of this as an essay-type assignment with the accompanying expectation that you will analyse the academic literature and its debates, not simply report descriptively on the major events associated with a particular protest movement. There are several steps to go through in completing this task.

a. Choose a social movement
Although a list of possible case studies is provided above, you should not feel constrained by these options. Your case study can be any social movement, associated with any (or no) side of the political spectrum. You must think of yourself as a researcher exploring the nature of this movement and the debates it has given rise to. In order to ensure there is an academic literature for you to engage then the protest movement should probably not be too obscure. But in principle you can choose any case study.

b. Formulate a question

You then need to formulate an analytical question that will frame the research you undertake through the case-study-essay. The question you formulate should allow you to explore one or other of the intellectual debates in the academic literature over the nature of the protest movement you are looking at. There is no constraint on the type of question you ask. You should be creative, but ensure that the question you choose is ‘viable’ in the sense of having already been researched by academics. This means it needs to have generated an academic literature you can analyse with your essay; if there is not a literature on the social movement you wish to study then it would not be a viable case study.

ANSWER

Analyzing the Impact and Debates Surrounding the Black Lives Matter Movement

Introduction

The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has emerged as a prominent social movement in recent years, advocating for racial justice, equality, and an end to systemic racism. This essay aims to delve into the academic literature and debates surrounding the BLM movement, examining its nature, goals, and the intellectual discussions it has sparked.

Research Question

To what extent has the Black Lives Matter movement reshaped public discourse on racial justice, and what are the key debates within the academic literature regarding its strategies and effectiveness?

Literature Review

The BLM movement has generated significant scholarly discourse across various academic disciplines, including sociology, political science, and cultural studies. Scholars have examined the movement’s historical context, organizational structure, tactics, and its impact on public opinion and policy-making.

Historical Context

To understand the BLM movement, it is essential to explore the historical context that gave rise to it (The Fight for Equality Continues on JSTOR, n.d.). Literature has focused on the long-standing racial inequalities in the United States, police violence against Black individuals, and the subsequent mobilization and activism that led to the movement’s formation.

Goals and Strategies

Scholars have debated the goals and strategies of the BLM movement. Some argue that its primary objective is to raise awareness of systemic racism and police brutality, while others emphasize the movement’s push for policy reforms and institutional change. Moreover, there is a discussion regarding the efficacy of direct action protests, social media activism, and community organizing as means to achieve these objectives.

Impact on Public Discourse

The BLM movement has had a profound impact on public discourse surrounding racial justice. Academic literature has analyzed how the movement’s activism, protests, and demands have influenced media coverage, public opinion, and political narratives (Carney & Kelekay, 2022). Additionally, there is a discussion about the movement’s ability to sustain attention and effect long-term societal change.

Intersectionality and Coalition Building

The BLM movement has highlighted the intersectionality of racial injustice with other forms of discrimination, such as gender, class, and sexuality. Scholars have explored the movement’s efforts to build alliances and coalitions with other social justice movements, examining the challenges and opportunities that arise from these collaborations (Chang et al., 2022).

Conclusion

The Black Lives Matter movement has emerged as a powerful force for social change, challenging systemic racism and advocating for racial justice. Through an analysis of the academic literature and debates surrounding the movement, this essay has provided insights into its nature, goals, and the intellectual discussions it has generated. By critically examining the BLM movement, scholars contribute to a deeper understanding of its impact on public discourse and ongoing efforts to address racial inequality.

References 

Carney, N., & Kelekay, J. (2022). Framing the Black Lives Matter Movement: An Analysis of Shifting News Coverage in 2014 and 2020. Framing the Black Lives Matter Movement: An Analysis of Shifting News Coverage in 2014 and 2020, 9(6), 558–572. https://doi.org/10.1177/23294965221092731 

Chang, H. H., Richardson, A. V., & Ferrara, E. (2022). #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd: How Instagram facilitated the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. PLOS ONE, 17(12), e0277864. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277864 

The Fight for Equality Continues on JSTOR. (n.d.). https://www.jstor.org/stable/27150915