United states. In a few days, "black lives matter" becomes a universal slogan, while inscribing its action in the long history of political struggles of black americans. The history of african-americans, John Miller reminds us, is branded by slavery, segregation and racial violence. Without forgetting the resistances, the victories won in pain and the artistic cultures of an incredible richness, in particular the spirituals, the gospel and the jazz. From nat turner's revolt in 1831 to the abolition of slavery in 1865, from laws imposing segregation and disenfranchisement in the american south to martin luther king's famous i have a dream, from the black power movement to the election of barack obama, the author analyzes the struggles.