Research Colloquium Series: A conversation of Black Lives Matter and all lives matter

The book “The Struggle over Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter” (left) and Co-author and professor Amanda Nell Edgar (right) - Photos courtesy of Amanda Nell Edgar

By Janay Jeans

Sept. 29, 2020

UofM professors and co-authors Amanda Nell Edgar and Andre Johnson discussed their 2018 book, “The Struggle over Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter,” Friday in light of this past summer’s protests against police violence.

Edgar, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication and Film, was one of the authors and speakers at the research colloquium by the Department of Journalism and Strategic Media, along with Johnson, an associate professor of rhetoric and media studies in the Department of Communication. The authors gave an overview of the book focusing on the Black Lives Matter movement and All Lives Matter, and their local research findings during the virtual Zoom event.

“This colloquium was so great because we could see everybody.” Edgar said about her experience of virtual research events versus in-person events. “I would say maybe 10 to 15 audience members is great, and when you get to 50 or 60 audience members, that is a different experience than being in person.”

The research colloquium is an event the department organizes and hosts for graduate faculty and students to hear the research the speakers have conducted and hold engaging conversations.

In light of the recent media coverage of the police killings of Black Americans including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and the global spread of protests in response, interest in the book was high. The event focused on the book and gave local perspectives on the Black Lives Matter movement and All Lives Matter.

Edgar said after she and Johnson joined the faculty at the UofM in 2015, they started discussing what they saw on social media, and decided to speak directly with people that were involved in the Black Lives Matter movement online and in-person, to acknowledge what the movement truly is, and to ensure the belief that a movement is its people.

Johnson said there is a lasting connection between the Civil Rights movement and the Black Lives Matter movement. They determined it was a continuation of the same movement and that both have similarities, including the public’s response to stop both the civil rights movement and Black Lives Matter.

Johnson mentioned that the participants explained the movement as focusing not only on police brutality, but also education, jobs, healthcare and other areas.

Edgar said it is important to focus on local politics and local representation.

“Because so much happens at the federal level, we forget to watch and hold accountable our local representatives,” Edgar said. “A lot of people then learn about local initiatives that are so crucial, and you miss that if you only get totally focused on Biden versus Trump, which is important too.”

Edgar said they were surprised with their findings from the all lives matter research, which showed the racial demographics matched the demographics with Shelby County, and about two-thirds of the all lives matter volunteers were Black.

The authors also said that some people self-censor their social media posts, some experienced their inbox and emails being full, some were concerned about their professors seeing their feed, some activists were surveilled by police, and they discussed how to engage in Black Lives Matter and keep their jobs.

Edgar also advised some ways to stay involved during a pandemic.

“You have to do your own inventory of what you feel safe doing,” Edgar said. “For me, I feel comfortable with a small group of people in masks standing far apart outside.”

Edgar said that she donates to different causes, including bail funds and to local politicians. Edgar also said for those who have disposable incomes and are interested in flipping the Senate to Democrat, to research which Senate races are tight on budgets.

“Another good thing to do is to look at campaigns that are short on money,” Edgar said. “and share on Facebook to tell others to send a little.”

Monica Kizer, a master’s student in the department, attended the event, and said the colloquium was interesting and helpful for conducting research in the future.

“This colloquium is helpful because I work a 9 to 5 and moving to virtual discussions helps because I can squeeze more time, rather than to go on campus and find parking,” Kizer said.

Kizer said some aspects of the event that stood out to her.

“For them to get both perspectives on all lives matter and Black Lives Matter was amazing,” Kizer said. “Because I support Black Lives Matter and I wanted to know why people created all lives matter.”

The book won the 2018 National Communication Association African American Communication and Culture Division Outstanding Book Award.