Diaspora, Africa – (African Boulevard News) – Three years ago, on May 25th, 2020, the world witnessed the devastating and tragic killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man who died at the hands of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The incident sparked a wave of protests both nationally and internationally and reignited the debate around the systemic racism and police brutality faced by Black people.
As we mark the three-year anniversary of George Floyd’s death, the question remains: has anything changed? While there have been some steps taken towards police reform and addressing racial inequality, the reality is that much still needs to be done.
One of the positive outcomes of George Floyd’s death has been the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement. Millions of people around the world have taken to the streets to demand change and call for justice. The global attention on these issues has forced governments and institutions to address racial disparities and discrimination in ways they would not have done before.
However, despite the progress made, there is still a long way to go. According to a recent study, police killings of Black Americans continue to occur at a disproportionate rate, and accountability for these actions is still lacking. There is also a lack of diversity in police forces, and implicit bias training has not been implemented widely enough.
As activist and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative Bryan Stevenson said, “20 years from now, 50 years from now, 100 years from now, the goal is not to hold a sign that says ‘Black Lives Matter.’ The goal is not to hold the sign.” The goal is to create real, meaningful change in our society.
There have been some positive steps taken towards this goal. For example, Minnesota recently passed a new police reform bill that bans chokeholds, mandates officers to intervene when they see their colleagues use excessive force, and allows civilian oversight of police departments. Other states have implemented similar measures.
However, as journalist and human rights advocate Shaun King points out, these changes are not enough. “I do not believe that America, as a nation, has yet decided that it truly wants to end police brutality,” he writes. “There is a difference between wanting change and being willing to fight for it.”
As we reflect on the three-year anniversary of George Floyd’s death, it is important to remember that the fight for racial justice and equality is far from over. While we have made progress, there is still much work to be done. It is up to all of us to continue the fight and push for real change in our society.
