Beneath the strokes of vibrant color lies a powerful movement. Here before us stands the #SayHerName Mural. It serves as a visual testament to the Black women and girls who have become victims of police brutality and anti-Black violence in the United States.
The #SayHerName Mural embodies a call for visibility. It demands recognition for those whose stories often go untold. The #SayHerName movement emerged from the African American Policy Forum. Kimberlé Crenshaw founded it in December 2014. It sought to address the marginalization of Black women within mainstream media and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Consider the weight of each name etched upon this mural. Each represents a life lost. Each signifies a story that deserves to be heard. The movement urges individuals and media outlets to say their names. By saying their names people will ask questions about the violence. Saying a name becomes shorthand for learning the stories of these women. Crenshaw said that if you say the name you are prompted to learn the story. If you know the story you have a broader sense of how Black bodies are made vulnerable to police violence.
The #SayHerName movement does not seek to replace Black Lives Matter. It simply adds perspectives to the conversation. It amplifies the voices of Black women and girls. Statistics show that Black women and girls as young as 7 and old as 93 have been victims of police brutality.
In May 2015, the AAPF released a report entitled “Say Her Name: Resisting Police Brutality against Black Women”. It outlined the goals of the #SayHerName movement. Following Sandra Bland’s death, the AAPF issued an updated version of the original report. The updated version contributed additional accounts of Black women’s deadly encounters with police and included a description of the circumstances surrounding Bland’s death.
Imagine the stories behind names like Breonna Taylor and Sandra Bland. Their names have become synonymous with the fight for racial justice. Breonna Taylor was killed by police in March 2020 during a rushed police raid. Sandra Bland was found hanged in her jail cell three days after a traffic violation.
The #SayHerName movement uses social media to amplify its message. The hashtag creates an online community. Activists, scholars, news reporters, and other social media users participate in the conversation. The hashtag highlights recent incidents. It also advertises upcoming events.
The movement has garnered support from celebrities. Janelle Monáe and Taraji P. Henson have tweeted the #SayHerName hashtag. Nicki Minaj posted about Sandra Bland’s death on Instagram.
Since its beginning, the #SayHerName movement has organized events. These events increase public awareness. A silent protest took place in major cities. Participants represented the silence and erasure of Black women and girls’ narratives.
The #SayHerName movement considers intersectionality. It recognizes how multiple social identities influence experiences with police brutality. Gender, sexual orientation, and class all play a role.
Advocates say the #SayHerName hashtag has created a safe online space. Marginalized groups come together and mourn their losses. The movement continues to evolve. It strives to address the systemic issues that perpetuate violence against Black women.
The #SayHerName Mural serves as a reminder. It prompts us to remember and honor the lives of Black women. It urges us to fight for a world where their stories are no longer overlooked. It inspires action. Let us leave here today with a renewed commitment to saying their names. Let us work together to create a more just and equitable society for all.