The period of shared sorrow and outrage quickly transitioned into a year-long, country-wide discussion on the Black experience in America. Initially starting with protests that escalated daily, eventually becoming the largest protest movement in U.S. history. Approximately 170 Confederate symbols were either renamed or taken down from public areas. The Black Lives Matter motto was adopted by a nation coming to terms with Floyd's passing. In the following 11 months, demands for racial equality would impact almost every facet 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 knelt on Floyd, was found guilty of two counts of murder and manslaughter on Tuesday. The verdict provided some comfort to activists fighting for racial justice who closely followed the trial. However, many Black Americans feel that real change is still out of reach, especially with the ongoing instances of police killing Black men, such as Daunte Wright's shooting just over a week ago. In addition, there are concerns about backlash, with Republican-controlled state legislatures introducing laws that could limit voting access, protect the police, and criminalize public protests. Otis Moss III, pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, argued that referring to the events of the past year as a racial reckoning is not accurate. He mentioned that there is a need to completely rethink various aspects of society, such as criminal justice, food deserts, and health disparities, but that is not happening. He believes that the guilty verdict in the trial of George Floyd's murderer is just addressing a symptom of a larger issue, and that the underlying problem still needs to be addressed. Derrick Johnson compared Floyd's death to a moment in Selma, Alabama in 1965 that led to the passing of the Voting Rights Act, and called for significant reform in policing in the United States. The Floyd case unfolded during the coronavirus pandemic, which highlighted racial inequalities in the country. Floyd's death, along with other racial incidents in recent years, has prompted calls for change and reform. Numerous policing reform laws were proposed at the state level, with corporations committing significant funds to support racial equity initiatives. The NFL issued an apology for not standing behind its Black players in protests against police violence. The response to backlash was also distinct, as racist comments made by public figures in relation to George Floyd's death led to resignations and anti-racism training. There was a noticeable change in American attitudes towards racial inequality and policing, as reflected in opinion polls. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in support among Americans, particularly white Americans, for the Black Lives Matter movement. Many now acknowledge racial discrimination as a major issue and agree that excessive police force disproportionately affects African Americans. Following Floyd's death, a majority of Americans saw it as part of a larger pattern rather than an isolated incident. A poll conducted by The New York Times in June revealed that over 10% of registered voters had participated in protests. Even Republican politicians in Washington were expressing support for police reform at that time. However, this shift in support was short-lived for Republicans, including both elected officials and voters. As protests became more violent and Donald Trump's reelection campaign used these scenes in political advertisements, polls showed a shift among white Republicans in their perception of discrimination as a problem. Throughout the campaign, voters were presented with a choice between supporting racial equality or maintaining law and order. Republican officials who were previously vocal about George Floyd's death became quiet. Patrick Murray, the director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, stated that on the Republican side, the message shifted to not acknowledging the appalling nature of Floyd's death for fear of losing ground, with the belief that it is an "us against them" situation. And the protesters will be included in them. The death of Floyd did bring about some changes among non-Republican white Americans in terms of their understanding of racial inequality and support for reforms, at least temporarily. It also solidified the shift of college-educated suburban voters, who were already disheartened by what they perceived as Trump's use of racial issues to the Democratic Party. David Bailey, from the nonprofit Arrabon in Richmond, Virginia, stated that 2020 will be remembered as a significant and catalytic time in history, with people's attitudes towards racial issues changing to some extent, although the full implications are not yet known. However, even Democratic leaders, such as local mayors and President Joe Biden, have expressed concern about police violence while also cautioning protesters to avoid violence. This connection between Black political anger and violence is deeply ingrained in American society and has not been dismantled, according to Davin Phoenix, a political scientist at the University of California, Irvine. Phoenix stated that Black individuals are often told by elected officials to refrain from certain actions before they have a chance to process their feelings of trauma and grief. Phoenix hopes that politicians who claim to be allies will also hold the police accountable for their actions. The protests following George Floyd's death became a contentious topic in American politics, with most being peaceful but some leading to looting and property damage, which was widely circulated on television and social media. Republicans pointed to the protests as evidence of the left losing control, noting that Blue Lives Matter flags were displayed on houses the previous fall. When Trump supporters turned violent at the US Capitol on Jan 6, conservatives criticized what they saw as a double standard in how the two movements were handled. Upon taking office in January, Biden promised to prioritize racial equity in all aspects of his agenda, including vaccine distribution, infrastructure projects, and climate policies. He wasted no time in implementing changes that a typical Democratic administration would likely have made, such as reinstating police consent decrees and fair housing rules. However, in a clear indication of the unique circumstances surrounding Biden's election and his indebtedness to Black voters for his victory, his administration has taken more innovative steps, such as recognizing racism as a significant threat to public health and highlighting Black unemployment as a key indicator of the economy's well-being. Opinion polls have not effectively captured whether white liberals will adjust their behaviors, such as supporting segregated schools and neighborhoods, which perpetuate racial inequality. While the outrage following Floyd's death has increased awareness of this issue, other pandemic-related trends have worsened inequality. This is evident not only in the disproportionate impact on Black families and workers, but also in the advantages white students have experienced through remote education and the wealth accumulation of white homeowners in a booming housing market. A recent national survey of white Americans conducted by Jennifer Chudy, a political scientist at Wellesley College, revealed that even those with strong racial empathy were more inclined to engage in limited, individual actions, like educating themselves about racism or listening to people of color, rather than taking more systemic actions such as living in racially diverse communities or advocating for racial justice with elected officials and policymakers. According to historians, Floyd's death had a significant impact on public discourse, particularly regarding racism in public and private institutions, as well as policing. Some Black business leaders have shared their personal experiences with racism and criticized the lack of action by Corporate America. Many companies have pledged to diversify their workforces in response. The outrage over racism in the US also sparked protests globally, leading to increased awareness of structural racism among white Americans. "They comprehend the idea, and I believe they would support it if given the opportunity," stated Robin DG Kelley, a protest movement historian at the University of California, Los Angeles. The recent protests against police brutality displayed more racial diversity compared to past protests following similar incidents involving Black individuals. These demonstrations also brought the demand to defund the police to the forefront, marking a significant shift in mainstream discourse. Kelley noted that there was a greater level of organization, participation, and calls for systemic transformation during these protests. This level of activism has not been seen in the United States since the 19th century. Additionally, organizers sought to translate the energy of the protests into political influence by promoting voter registration efforts. By autumn, racial justice had become a prominent campaign issue. Mostly Democratic candidates focused on addressing racial disparities in their campaigns by advocating for police reform, the dismantling of cash bail systems, and the creation of civilian review boards. Rashad Robinson, president of Colour for Change, noted that George Floyd's death sparked a new energy for change in American history, though the lasting impact remains uncertain. The incident brought racial justice to the forefront and prompted a multiracial response, emphasizing the importance of holding individuals like Chauvin accountable and working towards systemic changes. As a result, over 30 states have implemented new police oversight and reform laws following Floyd's death, granting states more authority and challenging the influence of powerful police unions. The alterations involve limiting the use of force, revamping disciplinary procedures, increasing civilian supervision, and mandating transparency regarding instances of misconduct. However, law enforcement systems are intricate and deeply rooted, leaving uncertainty about the extent to which the new laws will impact day-to-day operations. Bailey, a racial reconciliation worker in Richmond, noted the ongoing presence of racism in America, while also acknowledging progress. He emphasized the long-standing nature of the issue, with only minimal progress made in the past 50 years out of a 350-year history.