Social movements for equality have been booming in recent times, thanks to their greater reach, which allows us to hear the message of different important figures of activism, such as Opal Tometi. This activist of African American descent works for Nigerian-Americans, in addition to being a writer and co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement.
In this article you will find a selection of the most interesting phrases of Opal Tometi commented.
1. People are now alert and active because the pandemic showed how interconnected our lives are.
The pandemic showed us that distance does not prevent us from connecting.
2. The global reality is that black people are subject to all kinds of disparities on most of the most challenging issues of our day.
A sad experience that we thought had been eliminated a long time ago, but discrimination still exists.
3. We have been fighting and advocating to stop a war on black lives. And this is how we see it: this is a war on black lives.
Raising your voice against the blatant violence against the black race in the world.
4. I knew from the beginning that the project was big, that the mandate was big, and that if we used new media and technology, specifically social media, we could get the message out to thousands, if not millions of people.
Wisely using the power of networks to impact the masses.
5. We finally had time to sit at home and reflect on how our society works and whether or not it works well for all of us. The overwhelming consensus was that it is not, it is insufficient; in fact, it has been unsustainable for decades, if not generations.
The reflection that led Opal to take action on her own.
6. I am extremely pleased that people have heard and are taking ownership of Black Lives Matter.
Proud of the impact created with the movement.
7. Civility is the recognition that all people have an inherent dignity as a person, regardless of religion, race, gender, sexuality or ability.
A nation with true freedom is one where the rights of everyone are respected, regardless of their characteristics.
8. People are recovering from all kinds of unnatural disasters, displacing them from their ancestral homes and leaving them without the opportunity to have a decent life.
A criticism of the displacement of African cultures in their lands.
9. Only when the oppressed are heard can we have honest dialogue based on solutions.
Negotiations cannot be made if the voices of those affected are not heard.
10. Knowing that there is a community of people in every corner of this planet who believe in justice, who are willing to sacrifice, and who are willing to take a stand is the most encouraging.
What unites us is the feeling of generating positive change.
11. Black Lives Matter is truly an affirmation for our people. It is a love note for our people, but it is also a vindication.
What the creation of Black Lives Matter means.
12. If things are not working for us, it is our duty to get up.
Sometimes it is necessary to take the first step to get what we want.
13. The police cannot be allowed to continue aggressive, violent and often unconstitutional policing activities with impunity.
It is necessary to solve the problem of racist aggressiveness in the police.
14. We have to start imagining a new reality: this will mean fewer police officers and more social workers and teachers.
An interesting revolutionary proposal.
15. Anti-black racism doesn’t just happen in the United States. In fact, it is happening all over the world.
And with the movement, we were able to observe this fact.
16. What inspires me these days are immigrants. Immigrants from all over the world who are doing the best they can to make a living, survive, and also thrive.
Taking inspiration from the needs of immigrants in the United States.
17. Thinking back now, for me, before this, I felt like we weren’t working fast enough… Our work wasn’t as effective as it needed to be.
Even when their message was achieving success, for Opal and her partners it was not enough.
18. The reality is that this is a peaceful human rights movement led by incredibly brave black people.
Fair and humane people who want a better future.
19. Our mission is to build a multiracial democracy.
An equal democracy for all.
20. We took to the streets for this and partners came with us to say that people do not want to live in a world where black people are treated with contempt and disdain.
No person should live in a place where they are despised.
21. The time for having a charismatic leader is over. Today we feel the strength of people who are part of a network and make their voices heard because they have different skills.
Today’s situations merit other types of leaders.
22. Finding strength and wisdom within our cultures can be so healing.
Know that you are not alone, but that you are a strong culture.
23. We also believe that we cannot be truly free when marginalized black communities are sidelined and forgotten.
No place is truly free until everyone enjoys that freedom.
24. We are now in a time where people have no excuses to deny the injustice that is occurring in the midst of a global pandemic.
With the great impact of social networks, we are able to reach more news in the world.
25. When you’re sitting at home or living at a slower pace and you see black people in your community being attacked, murdered, killed by vigilantes and by the police, you wake up, take action and get up quickly.
It is impossible to remain indifferent to cruel acts for long.
26. People have begun to engage in mutual aid and support for their neighbors.
It is in difficult times that we learn the true nature of a person.
27. People are really trying to show up right now for black people, but I think they’re also doing it because they’ve been mad for a minute.
It is a voice for all those who identify with the similar situations they experience.
28. Valuing profits over people impedes human rights in much of the world.
Unfortunately, the wealthiest people are the ones who have the most rights and the most excuses for their actions.
29. I have always felt that I want to change the course of history.
A motivation that she has carried within herself.
30. We use our online social media presence to broadcast a conversation about what is happening in Black communities.
Social media can also be a platform to inform people and not just entertain them.
31. People now know that in their respective industries and countries, they have a responsibility to ensure that black people are respected, protected and affirmed.
Every institution has a duty to care for its workers.
32. I was probably the only one of the three who said, ‘Come on, let’s be big, let’s catch everyone.’
Opal was the one who provided the spark necessary to make this move.
33. I was interested in giving people like black people, the poor who have been marginalized, brutalized, the opportunity to have more visibility.
Give a voice to people who are not usually heard.
34. So my belief and my view of these protests is that they are different because they are marked by a period that has been deeply personal for millions of Americans and residents of the United States, and that has them more tender or sensitive to what is happening. going.
Even protests evolve, depending on the need that drives them.
35. People understand that this system is full of all kinds of inequality and injustice.
Even when they proclaim to work for justice and equality.
36. That means supporting and investing in Black lives to ensure they are safe and dignified.
Guarantee the rights that every person deserves.
37. One thing I just want to emphasize is that the world is watching us.
And with all eyes on them, they raised their voices to be heard.
38. Despite claims that there are good and bad cops, we know that the system is failing everyone, including the police.
Many people who consider themselves ‘good’ excuse their malicious acts believing that this is what is necessary.
39. In my own personal experience, I have had different family members who have been in immigration detention because they have had some type of financial challenge.
A very personal situation that inspired her to generate the change that everyone needs.
40. They were making difficult decisions, and that led to their immigration detention and, ultimately, deportation.
When people get caught up, they do risky and impulsive things that can cause problems in the future.
41. I absolutely believe that people are concerned about police brutality.
How to trust a force that only abuses people?
42. We see these solidarity demonstrations popping up all over the world, and I have friends texting me their pictures in France, the Netherlands, and Costa Rica, and people are showing me that they are showing up in solidarity.
The way he knew his movement was leaving its mark on the world.
43. We must create a committee to address long-standing discrimination against blacks in America.
The destination you want to reach.
44. Before seven years ago, we could barely get the news to talk about police violence, much less police deaths.
You can’t hide the truth forever, especially when there are now so many ways to see it.
45. I wasn’t necessarily thinking about the organizational structure… I was mainly thinking about building a mass movement that people can be a part of and feel an identity around.
Your main idea to form the organization.
46. ​​Lean into your curiosity about any topic and chances are there will be people who will share a little more of their knowledge and insight and give you ideas on how to make changes.
Never underestimate the power of your imagination.
47. For the United States, a nation that boasts of being the land of the free, does not live up to its ideal.
The biggest problem the United States has ever had and it still hasn’t been solved.
48. If Black lives mattered, I believe immigration policing and enforcement would not be the devastating force it is in our communities.
It is necessary that more beneficial measures be taken for immigrants.
49. Even if people didn’t have much, they still took care of each other. Through this, we began to see the ways in which new networks were being built.
You don’t need to have great things to contribute a grain of sand.
50. Things feel different this time because we were able to tap into the sense of our own agency, our own power, and our genuine love for each other.
Thanks to their media reach they were able to emerge strongly.
51. We do not believe that there can be trickle-down social justice. We believe that people on the margins should be put at the center.
A criticism of the constant placement of immigrants in marginalized areas.
52. We have to protect ourselves (because they face death threats), and part of that protection is knowing that there are several leaders.
Leaders are those who encourage the masses because they listen to their messages.
53. Black individualities are also being reflected within the movement.
This is not a closed group, but an invitation to all those who want a change.
54. Black people have been on the sidelines for many years and racism has impacted us for a long time.
There is no evil that lasts a thousand years and this situation is no different.
55. I believe that we are demanding justice and freedom for our people.
Rights that all people should enjoy equally.
56. We have received all the awards. I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I don’t want another award, I want this to be over.’ I don’t care about more praise! This to me is common sense. You don’t want to see people dying and being murdered like that.
This movement was never to win awards, but to generate a change in justice.
57. With the pandemic they got tired, they reached the limit, seeing that, even confined and going through a health and economic crisis, black people continued to be murdered with impunity.
The pandemic led us to observe the world from other perspectives.
58. Racism should be a central concern for all Americans in all areas of our lives.
In such an advanced world, there should be no room for racism.
59. Right now there are more than 244 million people who do not live in their country of origin. This is a 40 percent increase since 2000. So what this tells me is that disparities around the world are only getting worse.
No person leaves their country unless they are forced to do so.
60. What we need now more than ever is a human rights movement that challenges systemic racism in all contexts.
A more active movement that does not settle until all its demands are met.
61. This will mean creating more economic possibilities and investments that preserve and do not displace our communities.
Part of the objectives that it seeks to achieve with the Black Lives Matter movement.
62. Black immigrants and refugees have as much at stake in the fight to make Black Lives Matter as African Americans.
All people who have been victims of injustice must support each other.
63. We know that the system was not designed to provide justice for us.
The system has always been inaccurate, benefiting whoever can buy it.
64. Implicit bias and outright racism are ingrained in the way policing is done in this nation, and when you think about it historically, it was founded as a slave patrol.
A harsh criticism of the approach taken by abusive police officers.
65. We created #BlackLivesMatter. We create a platform.
A refuge where everyone can find their place to fight.
66. We know that it is increasingly important to step up and defend all Black lives, including queer and trans people, and the international community has a role to play in this fight.
A fight to seek the rights of all minorities.
67. It is fundamentally about all our human rights; that includes people from the continent and queer or trans people.
A movement that makes us understand that we are all human, no matter our characteristics.
68. We are finally achieving mass awareness.
An awareness that leads us to observe abuses and not remain silent about them.
69. We are seeing widespread awareness and commitment to anti-racism that we have needed for a long time.
It is time for racism to be extinct forever around the world.
70. I think about issues like climate change and how six of the 10 nations most affected by climate change are actually on the African continent.
A reality that has been generated by the overexploitation of resources.
