Reflecting on Change: America Five Years Post-George Floyd's Tragic Death

(National Collaborative for Health Equity) – WASHINGTON – Five years have elapsed since George Floyd's death at the crossroads of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in South Minneapolis, where Derek Chauvin, a White police officer, knelt on Floyd's neck. Despite his desperate pleas of being unable to breathe, Floyd, who was suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill, became a symbol of police brutality. The shocking footage ignited nationwide protests with approximately 26 million people advocating for systemic reforms against racial injustice. Currently, many perceive America as drifting from this pivotal "racial reckoning," a time that initiated significant financial investments in equity initiatives and greater acknowledgment of systemic racism. The racial justice landscape encounters challenges, yet notable achievements exist: • Numerous jurisdictions have declared racism a public health crisis, highlighting its effects on overall health and well-being. • In Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey emphasizes the commitment to reform despite the Justice Department's actions. • Congressman Keith Ellison stresses the need for substantial systemic reforms beyond individual cases. Throughout the U.S., police departments have enacted restrictions on neck restraints, and California's Racial Justice Act offers a precedent for future reforms.