This video was created and distributed by the #BlackLivesMatter movement in the wake of George Floyd’s killing at the hands of police in Minnesota in May 2020. In the video, we hear an audio montage of tweets from individuals in the United States and across the globe responding to and commenting on Floyd’s killing. A cascade of photos and names of Black victims of police brutality ends and a call to say their names climaxes with an image of George Floyd. The video ends with the Black Lives Matter hashtag on a black backdrop with a voice over: “Rest in power, beautiful. You didn’t deserve this.”

discussion

Why do you think the creators of this video used a collection of different voices (and tweets)? What are the emotions and ideas expressed in the tweets?

Why and how does the video feature both individual emotional responses as well as commentaries about American history and its systems of oppression?

Why does the video begin and end with George Floyd while also highlighting so many other victims of police violence? Why does the video highlight so many women?

What is the use of this video for the #BlackLivesMatter movement? Do you think it’s an effective way to use media to call for change and justice? Why? Why not?