The tragic incident that unfolded on May 25, 2020, in the streets of Minneapolis, where George Floyd, a Black American, unfortunately lost his life under a white officer’s knee, deeply impacted the conscience of America. The gut-wrenching 8 minutes, 46 seconds (subsequently revised to 9 minutes, 29 seconds) swiftly attained national recognition. Within a two-week span, periods of silence were maintained lasting this exact duration at the New York Stock Exchange, the United States Congress, and public memorials across Britain.
As we entered July 2020, an estimated 26 million Americans had demonstrated their support at over 4,700 different gatherings. In the UK, hundreds of thousands rallied in support, from Bristol to Birmingham to Belfast, toppling the numbers previously seen in the Rock Against Racism in the Seventies. Protests in Floyd’s name were registered in as many as 93 nations globally. Yet, the unique aspect of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) demonstrations were not confined to the sheer numbers.
Fading as swiftly as it had ignited, the movement seemed to dissolve. Consequently, half a decade since the remarkable events that took place in 2020, evokes questions regarding Floyd’s enduring legacy in the UK and USA. Was the BLM demonstration a fleeting collective expression or did it initiate a transformative movement resulting in tangible changes?
An uncompromising evaluation of the BLM campaigners in the U.S reveals outcomes contrary to their original intent. Mathis Ebbinghaus, an early career researcher at Oxford University who specializes in sociology, has researched the BLM movement. His studies cover police budget data from 2018 to 2021 across 264 significant cities in the U.S. Data compiled by the Washington Post suggests that law enforcement officers in America have consistently ended more than 1,000 lives per year since 2015, with Black Americans being victims twice as often as their white counterparts.
The record peak in fatal law enforcement measures was noted in 2024, with a total of 1,173 fatalities. The attempts at reforming police enforcement in the UK have been somewhat more feasible but only slightly more triumphant. Spurred by Floyd’s passing and the enduring unease between law enforcement and Black communities, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing implemented the Police Race Action Plan (PRAP) in May 2022.
Three years post the PRAP’s inception, the majority are far from satisfied with its progress. Still, their latest report suggests small victories: termination of twice as many staff for racially biased conduct in 2022/2023 as compared to 2020/2021, a decreased frequency in stop and search, less use of force on those from Black backgrounds, and an incremental rise in the number of Black serving officers. However, numerous left-wing individuals view it as a blown opportunity for effectively reforming law enforcement.
The highest exposure to this altruistic signaling was seen in the corporate field, where it also incurred the most severe backlash in later months. Corporate entities pledged upwards of $340 billion to address racial disparity within three years of Floyd’s death. This was directed towards setting diversity objectives, recruiting dedicated personnel, and launching new training schemes. However, the recognition had unanticipated implications, disenchanting some employees.
A slowdown in the DEI sector was observed in 2024. The attrition rate in this sector was twice as high as in other sectors. Britain’s primary exposure to Floyd’s death was through social media disbursements rather than long-compiled reports. The urge to exhibit support for racial equality saw millions of social media personas post black squares on their profiles in a global initiative known as Blackout Tuesday in June 2020.
Assessing the situation from all angles, it’s difficult to deny that BLM experienced severe regressions in fields ranging from political sectors to police reform, corporates to classrooms. Especially in the latter, its adoption of ‘critical race theory,’ a complex analysis of systemic racism, ignited serious controversy in the US.
There remains, however, a glimmer of hope at the grassroots level— in local organization, mutual assistance, and youth activism. The legacy may not lie so much in government actions, but in its inspirational energy into communities and movements to continue to strive for justice.
The principles fundamental to BLM— justice, safety, and human dignity— still demand attention and continue to be advocated for. Progress isn’t always instantly evident or direct; its impact can be gradual and continuous.
To rephrase it: a man’s legacy requires more time to assess than his life. The influence George Floyd has had on the world and the Black Lives Matter movement, even after his untimely death, continues to fuel discussions about racial justice and equality.
The post George Floyd’s Legacy: Transformative Impact or Fleeting Expression? appeared first on Real News Now.
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