ABC News. “Video of Rodney King Beaten by Police Released.” Narrated by Gary Shepard. Aired March 7, 1991, on ABC.
This source shows and comments on the footage of Rodney King’s beating by police officers. This footage will be used to draw a parallel between that specific instance and the video of George Floyd. It will help show that the events, caused by systemic racism, that we are seeing today has gone on far longer than people may originally believe. It has been a part of America for so long and it is time for it to be confronted and abolished.
Bailey, Holly. “George Floyd Warned Police He Thought He Would Die Because He Couldn’t Breathe, According to Body Camera Transcripts.” The Washington Post, July 8, 2020. Accessed December 11, 2020. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/george-floyd-death-transcripts/2020/07/08/a7050efe-c15c-11ea-b178-bb7b05b94af1_story.html?outputType=amp.
Chase, Garrett. “The Early History of the Black Lives Matter Movement, and the Implications Thereof.” Nevada Law Journal, May 30, 2018, 1091-112.
Chase discusses how Black Lives Matter came to be and the way the organization works. He also identifies their goals and the strengths and weaknesses of the group. Chase expresses how important this movement is as he mentions it may be one for the history books. Through his writing the development of Black Lives Matter and the popularity of it are explained. The source provides key information that relates to how it has influenced society today and become a notable movement.
Del Real, Jose A., Robert Samuels, and Tim Craig. “How the Black Lives Matter Movement Went Mainstream.” The Washington Post, June 9, 2020. Accessed December 11, 2020. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/how-the-black-lives-matter-movement-went-mainstream/2020/06/09/201bd6e6-a9c6-11ea-9063-e69bd6520940_story.html.
Eligon, John. “Black Lives Matter Grows as Movement While Facing New Challenges.” New York Times Late Edition (New York City, NY), August 27, 2020.
Eligon examines the widespread popularity of protesting for social justice and using Black Lives Matter as a platform. He discusses how celebrities influence the movement and includes pieces of what Donald Trump has said recently concerning the protests. Eligon gives some background to the Black Lives Matter movement while also focusing on this past summer and what unjust acts occurred.
George Floyd Died after Police Knelt on His Neck during Arrest. Produced by Tom McKenna and Mike Whiter. NowThis News, 2020.
This video supports the parallel between Rodney King’s arrest as both men were harmed by police between a twenty-nine year gap. Similarly, after these unjustified acts took place society was met with opposition in the streets. George Floyd’s death was inhumane and cruel. It should be viewed as a way for people to understand how terrifying and unruly America may be concerning racial tensions; specifically addressing systemic racism. This is a product of NowThis so it does have some bias in the writing but the video is reality.
Scales, Kailee. “Black Lives Matter Global Network Responses to COVID-19 Ethnicity Data.” Black Lives Matter. Last modified April 9, 2020. Accessed December 11, 2020. https://blacklivesmatter.com/black-lives-matter-global-network-responses-to-covid-19-ethnicity-data/.
Wang, Tabitha. “Rodney King Riot, Los Angeles, California (1992).” BlackPast.org. Last modified June 11, 2008. Accessed October 13, 2020. https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/rodney-king-riot-1992/.
Wang discusses the timeline of the Rodney King riots and the implications it had on society. She explains the trials that occurred and what the effects were. Wang’s piece will help compare the aftermath of the Rodney King incident to those seen today. By looking at parallels relationships and similar or changing beliefs can be identified.