The Black lives matter, as explained by the organisers/founders:
« Every day, we recommit to healing ourselves and each other, and to co-creating alongside comrades, allies, and family a culture where each person feels seen, heard, and supported.
We acknowledge, respect, and celebrate differences and commonalities.
We work vigorously for freedom and justice for Black people and, by extension, all people. »
Source: https://blacklivesmatter.com/what-we-believe/
Police brutality is just the tip of this iceberg, fundamentally at its core this is about inequality, and more specifically systemic racism towards black people- including but not limited to redlining, implicit bias, unequal distribution in wealth, incarceration, education and representation (politically as well as within the cooperate business side), among many other social- economic changes that need to be addressed and bettered across all ethnic groups.
These protests are created with the intention of being peaceful and most abide by this, unfortunately as with all protests regardless of subject matter, violence and rioting can occur and under no circumstance is this element of it tolerated or acceptable on my end and it takes away from the initial intentions and narrative. Plus many people, businesses and communities cannot survive from such but this is not what we are discussing right now.
And on a final note- just like the feminist movement, this is not about one “whatever” or person being better than other, at its core it’s about equality and the condoning of any social privilege. However, black lives are those which are at risk and therefore the focus point for this. Before condoning anyone and judging please educate, learn, reflect and then voice your opinion because frankly with the internet around ignorance is no longer a reasonable excuse.
Side note: I refuse to comment my position on whether Airbnb should or should not have used this money as to not dilute the message above and have no further point to say on this matter. Thank you and as always stay safe!