Celebrating Black History Month: A Start Toward Change
Scenic Trend is celebrating Black History Month with a look back at the changes and sacrifices made over the past year.
2020 was a critical year for the struggle for racial equality, not only in Chattanooga but across the entire world. The murder of George Floyd led to calls for effective changes and positive progress in our communities. Protests, community gatherings, fundraisers, and so many other events brought people together during a time like no other to call for equality for all Chattanoogans. New conversations were started, policies were put into place, and perspectives were changed, but there is still much left to do.
For Black History Month 2021, Scenic Trend wants to remind everyone that, as we head toward a brighter future without COVID-19, we are also heading toward a brighter future for racial equality. Olivia Ross used her photography to capture Chattanooga's journey toward that future.
Protesters assemble peacefully during a demonstration organized by I Can’t Breathe Chattanooga. The protesters marched from Miller Park to the Hamilton County Jail and Courts Building on Wednesday, careful to stay on sidewalks after several protesters were arrested in July for obstructing a downtown roadway. Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020.
Cameron “C-Grimey” Williams holds a sign calling for charges against Chattanooga protesters to be dropped. Williams, co-founder of I Can’t Breathe Chattanooga, faces several charges himself related to the peaceful demonstrations he’s helped organize throughout the summer in response to the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and the brutalization of Reginald Arrington Jr. by Hamilton County deputies. Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020.
Demonstrators gather at the Hamilton County Courts Building to protest a grand jury’s decision not to charge the Louisville police officers who shot and killed Breonna Taylor in her apartment. Speakers at the protest called for racial justice and greater accountability for police departments nationwide. Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020.
Demonstrators protested a grand jury’s decision not to charge the Louisville police officers who shot and killed Breonna Taylor in her apartment with murder. Speakers at the protest called for racial justice and greater accountability for police departments nationwide. Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020.
Protest near Hamilton County Jail and Courts Building over decisions regarding Breonna Taylor and her court case. Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020.
If you want to support African American creatives in our community, you can do so by supporting organizations such as the Bessie Smith Cultural Center and other recognized groups that support and promote our diverse community of creators.