An interview with the founders of Black Lives Matter | Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi

Call to Action
- Patrisse Cullors defines Black Lives Matter (BLM) as a tool to reimagine a world where Black people are free to exist and live.
- Calls for allies to show support in a different manner.
Personal Reflection
- Patrisse shares her childhood experiences in a heavily policed neighborhood, where she witnessed continuous police stops and home raids.
- Asks the question, "Why us?" indicating a quest for answers to systemic injustices.
- BLM provides explanations and a vision for young Black individuals to believe they are deserving of protection and support from local governments.

Antiblack Racism Beyond the US
- Opal Tometi asserts that antiblack racism is a global issue, necessitating a human rights movement to combat systemic racism universally.
Disparities Faced by Black People
- Black communities are disproportionately affected by critical global issues such as climate change.
- Six out of ten countries most impacted by climate change are in Africa.
- Disasters causing displacement and lack of decent living occur repeatedly in places like Haiti, which is heavily impacted by Hurricane Matthew.
- Preceding issues such as earthquakes and a cholera outbreak add to the hardships faced by the people of Haiti.
- Discussion on the moral implications of such disparities being exacerbated due to the racial composition of these populations.
Emerging Resistance
- Despite challenges, a network of Africans is actively rising up to demand climate justice.

Spectrum of Race in the US
- Alicia Garza explains that race in America operates on a spectrum from Black to white, where proximity to whiteness correlates with better socio-economic conditions.
- The gap in earnings illustrates this; Black women earn about 64 cents for every dollar earned by white men, with Latina women earning about 58 cents.
- Emphasizes the importance of addressing injustices in Black communities as a means to uplift everyone, promoting an 'effervescence' effect—a concept compared to the bubbling up of champagne.

Investment in Black Leadership
- Patrisse emphasizes the necessity of supporting Black leaders and organizations, ensuring visibility and infrastructure for movement building.
- Highlights the collective effort of the audience to share leadership roles in different spheres such as workplaces and homes.
Interdependence in Leadership
- Opal speaks about learning to trust her team during her sabbatical, realizing the importance of team strengths and allowing members to thrive.
- Introduces the idea of Ubuntu: "I am because you are; you are because I am."
- Suggests a new mantra: "Keep calm and trust the team," emphasizing gratitude towards team contributions.
Challenge of Celebrity Leadership
- Alicia highlights the problems of treating leaders as celebrities, noting the scrutiny and pressures that prevent many from stepping into leadership roles.
- Encourages supporting leaders in a political context rather than personal, fostering a healthy environment for debate and disagreement.

Hope for the Future
- Patrisse expresses hope for Black futures, emphasizing the need to focus on the lives and potential of Black individuals rather than continual representations of Black death.
Inspired by Immigrants
- Opal addresses her inspiration from immigrants striving for better lives despite increasing global disparities, especially noting the resilience of undocumented individuals.
Transformational Influence of Older Generations
- Alicia finds hope in older individuals becoming transformed allies in the movement, noting their willingness to adapt and engage in the fight for justice.

Call to Action
- Alicia urges the audience to take concrete actions:
- Call the White House regarding the treatment of water protectors and the broader implications of environmental justice.
- Join groups or collectives that address community issues, encouraging active participation rather than passive observation.
Starting Conversations and Initiatives
- Encouragement to initiate discussions and start new organizations if none exist, promoting grassroots movements that drive change.
The Collective Leadership Principle
- Emphasis on the collective nature of the leadership exhibited within the BLM movement as a model for progress, stressing that individual actions contribute to community success.
Final Remarks
- Acknowledgement of the audience and collective effort in maintaining the momentum of the movement.