Since public health experts recommended the use of face mask in public at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, top clothing brands and independent artisans have released a wide variety of reusable face coverings for daily use. While face masks with cute and funny designs are probably the most popular, more and more people are starting to wear face coverings that send powerful messages. An example of such is this Black Lives Matter face mask, which is especially made for people who condemn police brutality and all forms of racially motivated violence.
Featuring an image of a raised clenched fist and the text “Black Lives Matter” on the front, this face mask is made of 100 percent cotton and is built with a double-layer construction. Washable and reusable, this handmade face covering has soft cotton ear loops for a comfortable fit. Available for $7.95 on Etsy, this face covering currently comes in black/white style only, though more color combinations are coming soon.
The Black Lives Matter movement began in July 2013 with the use of the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter on social media after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of African-American teen Trayvon Martin in February 2012. The movement returned to national headlines and gained further international attention earlier this year following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. An estimated 15 million to 26 million people participated in the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests across the United States, making it one of the largest movements in the country’s history.
Aside from its mission to eradicate white supremacy, the movement also advocates to defund the police and invest directly into black communities and alternative emergency response initiatives.