Astor Torres
Social movements/ Dr. Kubal
Weekly discussion 1
Political opportunity can best be obtained in the presence of media, and that is exactly what a black lives matter activist did. Ashley Williams is a Black Lives Matter activist who questioned Hillary Clinton on her use of the word "super predators" to address African American youth. Ms. Williams protested alone in the presence of Hillary but did receive monetary assistance from a friend. Hillary was at a private fundraiser event that took place in Charleston, South Carolina, with the media present of course. The event was private, so in order to attend Williams had to donate money. With the help of a friend Williams donated $500. Personally I think the sum of money was too much for getting a point across. Never the less Williams practiced political opportunity and took advantage of the use of Media. In the photo depicted in the article of Democracy now, Williams is seen posing for the camera and holding a sign that read "We have to bring them to heel". When confronted, Hillary Clinton avoided the question and Williams was escorted from the event by security guards.
Celebrities tend to possess social capital and Media tends to portray exciting news (if it bleeds it leads). So what happens when a celebrity uses media to express a political discontent? "Beyoncé's super bowl touchdown for Black Lives Matter" February 11, 2016 discusses the political statement given by famous singer Beyoncé. Displaying the black panthers look, Beyoncé along with 25 backup singers dressed with similar outfits and black berets, marched on to the stage. Beyoncé used political opportunity, considering that super bowl 50 had an estimated 110 million viewers around the world. The dancers held signs that read the names of some affected by police brutality and ended their dance routine with their fists up high invoking their black power salute from black panther party. Thus this act of protest reassured the masses of viewers that black lives do matter.
http://www.democracynow.org/2016/2/11/beyonce_s_super_bowl_touchdown_for
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