College students’ awareness and familiarity with modern activism: Prosocial involvement in Black Lives Matter

Abstract

ABSTRACT With the recent rise of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement limited empirical research has been conducted examining knowledge of and attitudes toward this group, especially of that held by college students. College students have been a major force in overt activism related to the movement, and university communities tend to reflect many of the qualities of society as a whole. The purpose of this current study was to examine college students' understanding and attitudes toward the BLM movement. Two hundred seventy college students completed a survey measuring knowledge and awareness of BLM. The responses highlighted the growing awareness (especially as intergroup empathy grows, and ethnic groups experience more racism and microaggression) of the wide variety of goals that the movement espouses. Findings illuminated the current knowledge, attitudes, and opinions of the college students regarding the BLM movement, and detailed how ethnic identity increased prosocial involvement. College students are engaging in more prosocial involvement. It is evident that intergroup empathy is growing. Racial discrimination and oppressive elements within the U.S. society are being reacted to by college students, demanding equality and positive changes.