The period of shared sorrow and outrage quickly transitioned into a yearlong, nationwide discussion on the Black experience in America. Initially starting with protests that grew in size daily, these demonstrations eventually became the largest protest movement in U.S. history. Approximately 170 Confederate symbols were either renamed or taken down from public areas, and the Black Lives Matter motto was adopted by a nation struggling to come to terms with Floyd's death. In the following 11 months, demands for racial equality would impact nearly every facet of American society, reaching 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, who had been closely following the trial. However, many Black Americans still feel that true change is out of reach, especially with the ongoing killings of Black men by the police, such as the recent death of Daunte Wright. There are also concerns about backlash, with Republican-led state legislatures introducing laws that restrict voting access, protect the police, and criminalize public protests. Otis Moss III, a pastor in Chicago, believes that calling the events of the past year a racial reckoning would be inaccurate. He stated that we are struggling to rethink various aspects of society, such as criminal justice, food deserts, and health disparities, but we have not yet taken action. He believes the guilty verdict in the trial is just addressing a symptom and not the root cause of the issue. Before the verdict was announced, Derrick Johnson compared George Floyd's death to a pivotal moment in Selma, Alabama in 1965 that led to the passing of the Voting Rights Act. He believes Floyd's death should serve as a catalyst for comprehensive reform in policing. The Floyd case unfolded amidst the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, which highlighted racial disparities in the country. Many saw Floyd's death as emblematic of a series of racial incidents over the past decade, including the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, and Breonna Taylor. Since Floyd's death, there have been some concrete changes implemented. Numerous policing reform laws were proposed at the state level, with corporations committing significant funds to initiatives promoting racial equity. The NFL issued an apology for not supporting protests against police violence by its Black players. The response to these events was distinct, as racist remarks made by various public figures in relation to George Floyd's death resulted in repercussions such as losing their positions and attending anti-racism training. Initially, American attitudes towards racial inequality and policing underwent a noticeable shift, uncommon in opinion polls. Americans, especially white Americans, have shown increased support for the Black Lives Matter movement, acknowledging racial discrimination as a significant issue and recognizing that excessive police force disproportionately affects African Americans. George Floyd's death was seen as part of a larger pattern rather than an isolated incident, with over 1 in 10 registered voters attending protests according to a New York Times poll in June. Even Republican politicians in Washington were advocating for police reform at the time, but this support was short-lived for Republicans, both in leadership and among voters. As some protests turned violent and Donald Trump's reelection campaign began using those scenes in political ads, polls indicated that white Republicans were changing their views on discrimination. Throughout the campaign, voters were forced to choose between supporting racial equality or law and order. Republican officials who had previously spoken out about the death of George Floyd remained silent. Patrick Murray, the director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, explained that the Republican message shifted to avoid losing support from their base. Their worldview became focused on an "us against them" mentality. And the protesters will be included in them.' Floyd's death did prompt some changes among non-Republican white Americans in their recognition of racial inequality and support for reforms, at least temporarily. It also solidified the shift of college-educated suburban voters, already disheartened by what they perceived as Trump's racially divisive tactics, toward the Democratic Party. David Bailey, founder of the Richmond, Virginia organization Arrabon, which assists churches nationwide in racial reconciliation efforts, described 2020 as a significant and transformative period in history. He noted that people's attitudes have shifted to some extent, although the full implications remain unclear. However, there is hope for change, as some Democratic leaders, including local mayors and President Joe Biden, have expressed concern over police violence while also cautioning protesters to avoid violence. The connection between Black political anger and violence is deeply ingrained in American society, according to Davin Phoenix, a political scientist at the University of California, Irvine. He believes that Black people are often prevented from processing their trauma and grief before being told by elected officials not to engage in certain actions. Phoenix suggests that politicians should also hold police accountable and issue similar warnings to them. The protests following 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 lack of control. Last autumn, Blue Lives Matter flags were displayed on homes. When support for Trump turned violent at the US Capitol on January 6, conservatives were upset over what they saw as a double standard in how the two movements were handled. Biden, upon taking office in January, promised to prioritize racial equity in all aspects of his agenda, including the distribution of vaccines, the location of federal infrastructure, and the development of climate policies. He promptly made some changes that any Democratic administration would probably have made, such as reinstating police consent decrees and fair housing regulations. However, Biden's administration has taken some innovative steps, such as recognizing racism as a serious public health threat and highlighting Black unemployment as an indicator of the economy's well-being, in acknowledgment of the unique circumstances surrounding his election and the support of Black voters. There is uncertainty about whether white liberals will make changes to their behaviors that perpetuate racial inequality, such as favoring segregated schools and neighborhoods, despite increased awareness of racial issues following Floyd's death. The pandemic has exacerbated racial disparities, with Black families and workers suffering disproportionately while white students benefit from remote education and white homeowners profit from a booming housing market. A survey of white Americans conducted earlier this year found that those who were sympathetic towards racial issues were more inclined to take limited, individual actions, like educating themselves about racism or listening to people of color, rather than taking more impactful steps like living in diverse communities or advocating for racial justice with elected officials. Historians emphasize the significant impact of Floyd's death on public discourse, particularly regarding policing and the deep-rooted racism within public and private institutions. Black business leaders have openly shared their personal experiences with racism, criticizing the business world for not doing enough to address the issue. Many brands have pledged to diversify their workforces in response to public outcry over racism, sparking protests around the world. The widespread attention to structural racism has led to an increase in the popularity of books on the topic, even among white Americans who may have been previously unfamiliar with the concept. "They grasp the idea, and I believe they would support it if given the opportunity," stated Robin DG Kelley, a historian of protest movements at the University of California, Los Angeles, in reference to the protests against police violence in the past year. These protests have been more racially diverse compared to previous ones following police shootings of Black individuals over the past decade. Additionally, the demand to defund the police, which is seen as the most significant change to policing, has now entered the mainstream thanks to these protests. Kelley noted that there was increased organizing and participation in the protests, with more people advocating for a complete overhaul of the system. This level of activism has not been seen in the United States since the 19th century. Organizers have also focused on leveraging the energy of the protests to drive voter registrations, with racial justice becoming a prominent campaign issue by the fall. The majority of Democratic candidates focused on addressing racial disparities in their campaigns by advocating for police reform, abolishing cash bail systems, and establishing civilian review boards. Rashad Robinson, president of Colour for Change, emphasized the significance of George Floyd's death in sparking a renewed effort for change, but highlighted the importance of holding Derek Chauvin accountable and continuing to make systemic changes. One notable result has been the passing of new police oversight and reform laws in over 30 states following Floyd's death, which has shifted power dynamics within law enforcement. The changes involve limiting the use of force, revamping disciplinary procedures, increasing civilian supervision, and mandating transparency in cases of misconduct. However, policing systems are intricate and ingrained, so it is uncertain how much impact the new laws will have in practice. A racial reconciliation worker in Richmond, Bailey, remarked that America is inherently racist but is slowly improving. He noted that addressing a 350-year-old issue will take time, especially considering only 50 years of progress so far.