From Outcry to Apathy: Five Years After George Floyd, Racial Justice Gains Stall

As the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder approaches, a new Pew Research Center study paints a sobering picture: the surge in racial justice advocacy that followed Floyd’s death has not brought the meaningful change many had hoped for. In 2020, 67% of Americans supported the Black Lives Matter movement, and over half believed real progress was on the horizon. But today, that optimism has faded. While former officer Derek Chauvin was convicted and sentenced, broader systemic change remains elusive. Many Black Americans continue to face deep inequities in policing, healthcare, and economic opportunity. The findings underscore a harsh truth—protest sparked awareness, but not sustained action. Five years later, the urgency remains, but the national will for transformation appears to be waning.