Deviance is an action that negates the social norms (rules and values). The deviance differs among cultures and communities since one thing might be acceptable in a particular culture, unlike others. Social deviance is the study of these cultural standards. Through sociological theories, this blog will explain how the black lives matter movement is as a result of social pressures in their deviance.
Do black lives matter? Since 2014, there has been much debate about this question. The black lives matter movement began after the killings of black teenagers, Eric Garner in New York City and Michael Brown, in Missouri. Michael Brown was eighteen, unarmed and an African American (Black), (Larson et al., 2016). Police brutality against male African Americans has risen, and victimization whether there is a crime involved or not is eminent. These incidences of targeting black men led to the formation of this movement whose aim is to demand social change and Police reforms against racial injustices. The movement began as a hash tag on Twitter but is now a national social change movement with thirty chapters, decentralized within communities, nationally (Guynn, 2016). Protests around the nation are against deaths of African Americans while in police custody. The black lives matter has become a global movement with important chapters in Australia, the UK, and Canada. In gathering support, the program uses social media like facebook and twitter, direct action through protests and rallies, and the media with African American artists like Beyonce, Jay-z, and Kendrick Lamar singing of the aim of the black lives matter movement through their videos.
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My sociological opinion towards the black lives matter change is the study of the sociological theories of conflict theory and structural functionalism. African Americans have fought for equality since time immemorial during slavery. The black lives matter concept is another phase of the former civil rights movement that equally challenged the policies laid out during the sixties and seventies. This phase focuses majorly on police brutality and inhumane nature that African Americans are subject. Although it is holistic, I believe that social injustices throughout America are familiar. However with the killing of young, unarmed teenage boys was the last stroke of the whip that finally cracked the “can of worms.” In this century, there is no place for the racial injustices being witnessed all over the US.
Conflict theory, a sociological theory of deviance, maintains that as a result of social, and or political inequalities of society, deviance is inevitable (Thio, Taylor, Schwartz, 2013). The reaction becomes acting out against their perceived oppressors. The aim is to change their circumstances and social wellbeing (Boundless, 2016).
Secondly, the structural functionalism theory argues that deviant behavior is important in differentiating between proper and improper conduct by establishing boundaries (Thio et al ., 2013). The formation of the black lives matter movement is a clear indication that society is changing and with this shift, people in America are beginning to unite as a result of this deviant behavior. African Americans are united as one and created an “us-against- them” mentality. The overall aim of deviance is to provoke the imbalance and in the process, create boundaries that demand change over time (Andersen and Taylor, n.d.) .
In conclusion, the aim of social deviance is to improve the societal norm and encourage social change. The black lives movement is a major player in this process as it seeks to address an issue that for long remained silent but not unnoticed. The change will eventually come over time, and social deviance is clearly at the helm.
References
Andersen, M. & Taylor, H. Sociology (1st ed.).
Boundless. Sociological Theories of Deviance. Boundless Sociology. Boundless, 26 May. 2016. Retrieved 01 Dec. 2016 from https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/deviance-social-control-and-crime-7/theories-of-crime-and-deviance-61/sociological-theories-of-deviance-371-10205/
Guynn, j. (2016). Meet the woman who coined "blacklivesmatter". USA Today . Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/03/04/alicia-garza-black-lives-matter/24341593/
Larson, S., Cassidy, J., Knight, S., Eha, B., Cassidy, J., & Tolentino, J. et al. (2016). The Matter of Black Lives . The New Yorker . Retrieved 1 December 2016, from http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/02/09/dont-like
Thio, A. D., Taylor, J. D., Schwartz, M.D. (2013). Deviant Behavior. Pearson . 11 th Edition.
