One year ago, the world was shaken by the death of George Floyd, an African American man who was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His death sparked outrage and protests across the United States and around the globe, shining a bright light on issues of systemic racism and police brutality.
One year later, we are left to reflect on what has changed since those protests erupted. While progress has been made in some areas, it is clear that there is still much work to be done in the fight for racial justice.
One significant change that has occurred in the year since George Floyd’s death is an increased awareness of systemic racism and police brutality. The Black Lives Matter movement has gained momentum, with more people taking to the streets to demand change and speak out against racial injustice. Companies and organizations have been forced to reckon with their own complicity in perpetuating racism, leading to calls for diversity and inclusion in all aspects of society.
In response to the protests, some cities and states have taken steps to reform their police departments. Minneapolis, where George Floyd was killed, has moved to ban chokeholds and require officers to intervene if they see a fellow officer using excessive force. Other cities have started to reallocate funding from police departments to social services, with the goal of reducing police presence in communities of color.
There have also been some policy changes at the federal level. President Joe Biden signed an executive order on his first day in office that aimed to combat racism and promote diversity and inclusion in the federal government. The Biden administration has also called for Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which would ban chokeholds, end qualified immunity for police officers, and create a national registry of police misconduct.
However, despite these developments, the fight for racial justice is far from over. There have been continued instances of police brutality and racial profiling, sparking new protests and calls for change. The trial of Derek Chauvin, the police officer who was convicted of George Floyd’s murder, has brought some accountability for his actions, but many believe that true justice will only come when systemic racism is dismantled.
The George Floyd protests have certainly sparked a global reckoning on issues of race and justice, but the work is far from done. It is up to all of us to continue to speak out against racism, support marginalized communities, and push for meaningful change. Only then can we truly honor the legacy of George Floyd and work towards a more just and equitable society for all.
