Across the United States and around the world, adults and kids are raising their voices against racism and police violence. The Scratch Team stands with these protestors. Black Lives Matter. No one deserves to grow up in a society that harms you, silences you, or prevents you from reaching your full potential because of the color of your skin.

Many Scratchers have already begun to support the Black Lives Matter movement with animations, poems, MAPs, studios, comments, and more. We’re so proud to see you using your creativity and passion to spread awareness and demand change! We want to reassure you that these types of projects, studios, and comments are welcome on Scratch. Scratch welcomes people of all ages, races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities, and we say this clearly in our Community Guidelines.

We also wanted to address the phrase “all lives matter.” The phrase “Black Lives Matter” was created because of the experiences, fears, and problems that Black people face. Many people have used “all lives matter” as a way of saying that all people face similar challenges regardless of their race. This is not true. The purpose of the Black Lives Matter movement isn't to exclude others, but to highlight the violence and racism that Black people face every day in hopes of changing it. So we ask that you not say “all lives matter” when you see someone else saying “Black Lives Matter” on Scratch.

For many of you, this might be the first time you’re hearing about terms like systemic racism or even Black Lives Matter. We wanted to share some books, videos, and articles to help you learn more about this movement and the challenges Black Americans face every day:

Marley Dias from #1000blackgirlbooks explains institutionalized racism:
https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/youtube/4M-5V8uUtKA/

Why Black Lives Matter NOW by Ellis Fearon:
https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/youtube/A7EZWBIPUUQ/

11 Things You Can Do To Help Black Lives Matter End Police Violence by Teen Kids News:
https://teenkidsnews.com/tkn-news/careers/11-things-you-can-do-to-help-black-lives-matter-end-police-violence/

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/52220686-stamped

This Book Is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/45730968-this-book-is-anti-racist

#BlackLivesMatter

(excess characters removed by moderator - please don't spam)

i agree

for all black

black lives matter

I'm so glad you guys made an announcement about this!
#BlackLivesMatter

I’m glad the Scratch team is taking an official stand in this.
#BlackLivesMatter
#Equality

#BlackLivesMatter!!

BLACK LIVES MATTER.

i was hoping you guys would say something about this! yes yes i agree!!

BLACK LIVES MATTER. Join my studio called black lives matter

Praying for all u guys! #Blacklivesmatter

Heck yeah! Equality for the win!

#blacklivesmatter

#BlackLivesMatter

I’m so glad you guys support this :3 I am all for the peaceful protests as they spread a positive message- Black Lives matter!

I'm happy you adressed this situation.

Collskies wrote:

Heck yeah! Equality for the win!

Totally! It's like returning back into 1950's

when green flag clicked
if <[blacklivesmatter] = [no,it doesn't]> then
set [it does, please don't say that] to [yes]
end