The period of shared sadness and frustration quickly transitioned into a yearlong, countrywide discussion on the experience of being Black in the United States. Initially starting with demonstrations that increased in size daily, these protests eventually became the biggest protest movement in American history. Close to 170 Confederate symbols were either renamed or taken down from public areas. The phrase "Black Lives Matter" was embraced by a nation struggling to cope with the death of Floyd. Throughout the following 11 months, demands for racial equality would impact almost every aspect of American society on a level not seen since the civil rights movement of the 1960s, according to historians. Derek Chauvin, the white police officer who kneeled on Floyd, was found guilty of two counts of murder and manslaughter on Tuesday. The verdict brought some comfort to activists fighting for racial justice, but many Black Americans feel that real change is still out of reach, especially with the ongoing killings of Black men by the police. Recent legislation in Republican-controlled state legislatures also shows a backlash against movements for racial justice. Otis Moss III, pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, argued that calling the past year a racial reckoning was inaccurate. He stated that we are struggling to reimagine various aspects of society, such as criminal justice and health disparities, but we have not taken significant action towards this. The guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin is seen as addressing a symptom, not the underlying issue. Before the verdict was announced, Derrick Johnson compared George Floyd's death to a pivotal moment in American history, similar to the events in Selma, Alabama in 1965 which led to the passing of the Voting Rights Act. He emphasized that Floyd's death should be a catalyst for significant reforms in policing. The Floyd case unfolded during the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, which highlighted the racial inequities in the country. Many saw Floyd's death as a culmination of various racial incidents over the past decade, including the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, and Breonna Taylor. Some concrete changes have taken place since Floyd's death. Numerous laws aimed at reforming policing were proposed at the state level. Companies promised significant financial support for racial equity initiatives, and the NFL expressed regret for not supporting its Black players in protesting police violence. The response to these events was unique, as numerous public officials faced consequences for making racist remarks regarding George Floyd's death, losing their jobs and being sent to anti-racism training. Initially, American attitudes towards racial inequality and policing underwent a significant shift, which is uncommon in opinion polls. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in support among Americans, especially white Americans, for the Black Lives Matter movement. Many now acknowledge racial discrimination as a major issue and believe that excessive police force disproportionately affects African Americans. Following George Floyd's death, a majority of Americans viewed it as part of a larger pattern rather than an isolated incident. A survey conducted by The New York Times in June found that over 10% of registered voters had participated in protests. Despite some Republican politicians initially backing police reform, this support was short-lived among both elected officials and voters. Some protests became destructive and Donald Trump's reelection campaign started using those scenes in political ads, which led to polls showing white Republicans changing their views on discrimination. Throughout the campaign, voters were forced to choose between supporting racial equity or law-and-order. Republican officials who were once outspoken about George Floyd's death became quiet. Patrick Murray, the director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, explained that on the Republican side, the message became one of not acknowledging the appalling nature of Floyd's death in order to maintain political ground, as their worldview shifted to an "us against them" mentality. And the individuals protesting will be included in that group." Despite this, Floyd's death did bring about some changes, at least temporarily, among non-Republican white Americans in terms of their understanding of racial inequality and their support for reforms. It also solidified the shift of college-educated suburban voters, who were already disheartened by what they perceived as Trump's use of racial division, towards the Democratic Party. "The year 2020 will be remembered as a significant and pivotal time in history," remarked David Bailey, whose nonprofit organization Arrabon, based in Richmond, Virginia, assists churches nationwide in promoting racial reconciliation. "People's perspectives have shifted to some extent. The full impact of this change is not yet fully understood." However, even prominent Democratic leaders, such as local mayors and President Joe Biden, have expressed concern over police violence while also cautioning protesters against resorting to violence. This connection between Black political outrage and violence is deeply ingrained in American society and has not been dismantled in the past year, according to Davin Phoenix, a political scientist at the University of California, Irvine. Phoenix believes that Black people are often prevented from fully processing their trauma and grief by elected officials who urge them to refrain from certain actions. He suggests that politicians should also hold law enforcement accountable by telling them what not to do. The protests that followed George Floyd's death became a contentious topic in American politics, with some instances of looting and property damage overshadowing the majority of peaceful demonstrations. Republicans pointed to the protests as evidence of the left's loss of control. Last autumn, Blue Lives Matter flags were displayed on homes. When backing for Trump turned violent at the US Capitol on January 6th, conservatives were upset at what they perceived as a disparity in how the two movements were handled. Biden assumed office in January promising to prioritize racial equality in all aspects of his agenda, including vaccine distribution, federal infrastructure projects, and climate policy development. He promptly implemented changes that any Democratic administration probably would have, such as reinstating police consent decrees and fair housing regulations. However, Biden's administration has also taken more innovative steps to address racial inequality, such as acknowledging racism as a serious public health issue and highlighting Black unemployment as a key indicator of the economy's well-being. While opinion polls have not fully captured whether white liberals will change their behaviors that perpetuate racial inequality, recent events like the protests following George Floyd's death have increased awareness of racial disparities. The pandemic has further exacerbated these inequalities, with Black families and workers being disproportionately impacted while white students have thrived in remote education and white homeowners have gained wealth in a booming housing market. A study earlier this year found that even racially sympathetic white Americans were more likely to support individual actions like educating themselves about racism rather than taking more systemic actions like living in diverse communities or advocating for racial issues with policymakers. Historians emphasize the significant impact of Floyd's death on public discourse, highlighting its influence on discussions about policing and the pervasive nature of racism within public and private institutions. Black business leaders have shared personal experiences with racism, criticizing the business world for its inaction. Many companies have pledged to diversify their workforce in response. The outcry over racism in the US sparked protests worldwide, driving interest in books on structural racism among white Americans. According to historian Robin DG Kelley, the protests against police violence in the last year were more racially diverse than previous protests following police shootings of Black individuals. The protests also led to the mainstream acceptance of the idea of defunding the police, which is a significant transformation in policing. Kelley noted that there was more organizing, more people in the streets, and more calls for systemic change rather than just reforms. This level of activism has not been seen in the United States since the 19th century. Organizers also focused on registering voters and making racial justice a campaign issue by the fall. Mostly Democratic candidates focused on addressing racial disparities in their campaigns by advocating for police reform, the dismantling of cash bail systems, and the establishment of civilian review boards. Rashad Robinson, president of Colour for Change, noted that George Floyd's death sparked a renewed energy for change in American history, although the lasting impact remains uncertain. The incident brought racial justice to the forefront and prompted a multiracial response, but the primary goal is to hold Chauvin accountable and implement systemic changes. A significant policy outcome has been the passing of new police oversight and reform laws in over 30 states since Floyd's death, granting states more authority and challenging the influence of powerful police unions. The changes involve limiting the use of force, revamping disciplinary procedures, increasing civilian supervision, and mandating transparency regarding misconduct incidents. However, law enforcement systems are intricate and deeply rooted, so it is uncertain how much impact the new laws will have in practice. Bailey, a racial reconciliation advocate in Richmond, acknowledged the ongoing racism in America while recognizing progress has been made, albeit slowly. He emphasized that addressing a 350-year-old issue will take time, with only minimal progress achieved in the past 50 years.