Social Activism of Black Lives Matter: Institutional Responses

Over the last few years, we have seen the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement in response to police brutality being caught on camera. It is very important to understand the impact that institutional responses can have on a movement. Especially a movement that has uncovered the racism in an institution so heavily protected.
US Institutions, including the government, Churches, Education, and Business should speak up about this issue because it is a serious issue that affects all Black people in America. With the spread of anti-black racism, it is easier for law enforcement institutions to continue their violence against Black people. Other institutions must stand to defend Black lives.
Institutions in Sonoma County have had several responses to the movement. Kaiser Permanente decided to cut ties with a group that had stated the message “All Lives Matter''. This was a move to show that they were not going to associate with any group that would challenge the Black Lives Matter movement. Black business owners in the county have also added their support. It is very important that they do so because the challenges black people face are deeper than policing. Black people are often faced with economic and health disparities as well.
There have also been instances where certain institutions choose to isolate themselves from the movement. The Girl and the Fig restaurant in Sonoma county received backlash after they asked an employee to remove her Black Lives Matter mask and told her she would receive discipline if she did not. The restaurant was forced to close for a few days because of the backlash.
It is important to note that institutional responses matter. The effects of the Black Lives Matter movement should be seen in all institutions. After all, anti-black racism is deeply embedded within our culture and institutional responses or support for change are needed widely.