The period of shared sorrow and rage quickly transitioned into a yearlong, countrywide discussion on the Black experience in America. Initially starting with protests that escalated daily, eventually leading to the largest protest movement in U.S. history. Close to 170 Confederate symbols were either renamed or taken down from public areas. The Black Lives Matter motto became a symbol of the nation coming to terms with Floyd's death. Throughout the following 11 months, demands for racial equality would impact nearly every facet of American society, echoing a scale 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. This verdict provided some comfort to activists fighting for racial justice who closely followed the trial. However, many Black Americans still feel that real change is out of reach, especially with the ongoing killings of Black men by police, such as the recent death of Daunte Wright. Additionally, there are concerns about backlash, with Republican-led state legislatures introducing laws that restrict voting access, protect police, and criminalize public protests. Pastor Otis Moss III of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago believes that labeling the events of the past year as a racial reckoning is inaccurate. He said that we are struggling to rethink a wide range of issues, from criminal justice to food deserts to health disparities, but we have not made much progress in doing so. The guilty verdict in the trial is seen as addressing a symptom rather than the underlying 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 called for broad reforms in policing in response to Floyd's killing. The Floyd case unfolded amidst the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, which highlighted racial inequities in the nation. Floyd's death resonated with many due to a series of racial incidents in recent years, including the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, and Breonna Taylor. Since Floyd's death, some tangible changes have been made. Many policing reform laws were proposed at the state level, with corporations committing significant funds to racial equity initiatives. The NFL issued an apology for not supporting protests against police violence by Black players. The response to racist statements made by public officials following Floyd's death was swift, resulting in job losses and mandatory anti-racism training. Initially, there was a noticeable shift in American attitudes towards racial inequality and policing in opinion polls. In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in support among Americans, especially white Americans, for the Black Lives Matter movement, acknowledgment of racial discrimination as a significant issue, and recognition 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 June poll conducted by The New York Times found that over 10% of registered voters had participated in protests. Initially, even Republican politicians expressed support for police reform, but this support was short-lived for both elected officials and voters in the Republican party. Some protests became violent and Donald Trump's reelection campaign started using those events in political ads, causing polls to show a decrease in white Republicans' belief that discrimination is an issue. As the campaign progressed, voters were forced to choose between supporting racial equality or law and order. Republican officials who had previously spoken out about George Floyd's death went silent. Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, stated that the message from the Trump side was to not acknowledge the appalling nature of the events in order to maintain support, with the belief being that it is an us versus them situation. And those demonstrators will be included in the group.' Floyd's passing did result in some changes, at least temporarily, among non-Republican white Americans in terms of their understanding of racial injustice and backing for reforms. It also solidified the shift of college-educated suburban voters, who were already disheartened by what they viewed as Trump's divisive tactics, towards the Democratic Party. "The year 2020 will be remembered as a very important and transformative period in our history," stated David Bailey, founder of Arrabon, a nonprofit organization in Richmond, Virginia that assists churches nationwide in fostering racial reconciliation. "People's perspectives have shifted to some extent. The full implications of this remain unknown." However, there is a sense of optimism that a change is on the horizon. Despite this hope, Democratic leaders, including local mayors and President Joe Biden, have expressed concern over both police violence and protester violence. This connection between Black political anger and violence has deep roots in American society and has yet to be dismantled, according to Davin Phoenix, a political scientist at the University of California, Irvine. Phoenix noted that Black individuals are often told by politicians not to engage in certain actions before they have had a chance to process their trauma and grief. He hopes that politicians, particularly those who claim to be allies, will also address police behavior in a similar manner. The protests following George Floyd's death further fueled the contentious political climate in America, with some cities experiencing looting and property damage amidst mostly peaceful demonstrations. These incidents were widely circulated on television and social media platforms. 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 at the perceived double standard in how the two movements were handled. Biden, who took office in January, promised to prioritize racial equity in all aspects of his agenda, including vaccine distribution, federal infrastructure projects, and climate policies. He promptly made changes that any Democratic administration would probably have made, such as reinstating police consent decrees and fair housing regulations. However, what opinion polling has not effectively captured is whether white liberals will actually change their behaviors that contribute to racial inequality, such as opting for segregated schools and neighborhoods. Despite increased awareness of racial issues following the outcry over Floyd's death, other trends related to the pandemic have worsened inequality, with Black families and workers suffering disproportionately while white students benefit from remote education and white homeowners profit from a booming housing market. In a study of white Americans, Jennifer Chudy, a political scientist at Wellesley College, found that even those who are sympathetic to racial issues are more likely to support individual actions like educating oneself about racism rather than taking more impactful steps like living in a diverse community or advocating for racial issues with elected officials. Historians emphasize the significant impact Floyd's death had on public discourse, particularly in highlighting the presence of racism in both public and private institutions. Black business leaders have shared personal experiences with racism, criticizing the lack of action taken by the business world in addressing this issue. Numerous brands have committed to diversifying their workforces in response to public outcry over racism, which has sparked protests globally. White Americans have shown an increased interest in understanding structural racism, as evidenced by the popularity of books on the topic. The protests against police violence in the past year have been more racially diverse compared to previous protests following police shootings of Black individuals over the last decade, according to Robin DG Kelley, a historian at the University of California, Los Angeles. The movement has gained momentum in pushing for defunding the police, which is considered the most significant demand for transforming policing and has entered the mainstream. Kelley noted that there has been a significant increase in organizing efforts, with more people in the streets advocating for a complete overhaul of the system rather than just fixing it. This level of activism has not been seen in the United States since the 19th century. In order to translate the energy of the protests into political power, organizers have focused on registering a large number of voters. By the fall, racial justice had become a prominent issue in political campaigns as well. The majority of Democratic candidates in their campaigns focused on addressing racial disparities by advocating for police reform, the abolition of cash bail systems, and the establishment of civilian review boards. Rashad Robinson, president of Colour for Change, highlighted the impact of George Floyd's death in sparking a new movement for change, but emphasized the importance of holding individuals like Derek Chauvin accountable and continuing the work towards systemic change. As a result of Floyd's killing, there have been significant policy changes in policing, with over 30 states enacting new laws for police oversight and reform, shifting power dynamics and challenging the influence of police unions. 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 deeply ingrained, so it is unclear how much the new laws will impact day-to-day operations. Bailey, a racial reconciliation advocate in Richmond, acknowledges that while America still grapples with deep-seated racism, there has been some progress in recent years. He highlights that addressing a 350-year-old issue will take time, with only around 50 years of corrective action so far.