The period of shared mourning and frustration was quickly followed by a year-long, countrywide discussion about the Black experience in America. Initially starting as protests that gained momentum daily, these demonstrations eventually evolved into the biggest 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 embraced by a nation coming to terms with Floyd's passing. Throughout the following 11 months, demands for racial equality would impact nearly 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 kneeled 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 still feel that true change is hard to come by, especially with the ongoing police killings of Black men, like Daunte Wright's recent death. There are also concerns about new laws in Republican-led states that restrict voting rights, protect law enforcement, and criminalize public demonstrations. Pastor Otis Moss III of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago believes that calling the events of the past year a racial reckoning is inaccurate. “He believes that we are struggling to rethink various aspects of society such as criminal justice, food deserts, and health disparities, but we have not made much progress in that area,” he stated. He mentioned that while the guilty verdict in the trial is a step towards justice, it does not address the underlying issues. Before the verdict was announced, Derrick Johnson compared Floyd’s death to a pivotal moment in American history, similar to what happened in Selma in 1965 which led to the passing of the Voting Rights Act. He emphasized that Floyd’s death should serve as a catalyst for significant reform in policing. The entire timeline of the Floyd case, starting from his death and protests to the trial and conviction of Chauvin, took place during the coronavirus pandemic, which highlighted racial disparities in the country. Many saw Floyd’s death as part of a pattern of racial injustice, including the deaths of other victims such as Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, and Breonna Taylor. Some progress has been made towards change in the aftermath of Floyd’s death. Numerous laws aimed at reforming policing were proposed at the state level, while corporations committed significant funds to promote racial equity. The NFL issued an apology for not supporting Black players protesting against police violence. The response to backlash was also noteworthy, as racist remarks by various public figures led to job losses and participation in anti-racism training. Initially, American perspectives on racial inequality and policing underwent a noticeable shift, as demonstrated by opinion polls. Americans, especially white Americans, showed increased support for the Black Lives Matter movement, acknowledged racial discrimination as a significant issue, and agreed that excessive police force disproportionately affects African Americans. Many believed that George Floyd's death was not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern. A New York Times poll in June revealed that over 10% of registered voters had participated in protests. Despite some Republican politicians in Washington expressing support for police reform at the time, this shift in attitude was short-lived for Republicans, both in leadership and among voters. As protests became violent and Donald Trump's reelection campaign used them in political ads, polls indicated that white Republicans were changing their views on discrimination. During the campaign, voters were faced with a choice between supporting racial equality or law and order. Republican officials who had previously spoken out about Floyd's death became quiet. According to Patrick Murray, the director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, Republicans aligned with Trump's side were hesitant to acknowledge the appalling nature of the situation for fear of losing ground, as their worldview was now seen as "us against them." And those demonstrators will be included in the group.'” Floyd’s passing did bring about some changes, at least temporarily, among non-Republican white Americans in terms of their understanding of racial injustice and advocacy for reforms. It also solidified the shift of college-educated suburban voters, who were already disheartened by what they perceived as Trump's divisive rhetoric, towards the Democratic Party. “The year 2020 will be remembered as a very significant and transformative period in our history,” stated David Bailey, founder of Arrabon, a nonprofit organization based in Richmond, Virginia that assists churches nationwide in promoting racial reconciliation. “People's perspectives have shifted to some extent. The full implications of this are not yet fully understood." However, even Democratic leaders, such as local mayors and President Joe Biden, have expressed concern over police violence while also cautioning protesters to avoid violence themselves. This connection between Black political anger 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 individuals are often told by their elected officials to refrain from certain actions before they have had a chance to process their emotions. He suggests that politicians should also hold police accountable by telling them what not to do. The protests following George Floyd's death became a part of the contentious political discourse in America, with most protests being peaceful but some instances of looting and property damage. These negative events were widely publicized on television and social media. Republicans pointed to the protests as a sign of the left losing control. Blue Lives Matter flags were displayed on houses last autumn. When support for Trump led to violence at the US Capitol on January 6, conservatives criticized what they saw as a double standard in the treatment of the two movements. In January, Biden assumed office and promised to prioritize racial equity in all aspects of his agenda, from vaccine distribution to infrastructure projects and climate policies. He promptly implemented changes typical of a Democratic administration, such as reinstating police consent decrees and fair housing regulations. However, Biden's administration has taken a unique approach by acknowledging the importance of Black voters in his election and addressing racism as a threat to public health. There are concerns about whether white liberals will make significant changes in their behaviors, such as supporting segregated schools and neighborhoods, that perpetuate racial inequality. While awareness of racial issues has increased following Floyd's death, the pandemic has worsened inequality, with Black families and workers disproportionately affected. White students have benefited from remote education, and white homeowners have seen gains in a booming housing market. A study found that even racially sympathetic white Americans are more likely to take limited, individual actions rather than making systemic changes to address racism. Historians emphasize the significant impact of Floyd's death on public discourse, particularly in highlighting the systemic racism embedded in both public and private institutions. Black business leaders have shared their personal experiences with racism, criticizing Corporate America for its lack of action. This event sparked global protests against racism, with even White Americans becoming more aware of structural racism and driving books on the topic to bestseller lists. Robin DG Kelley, a protest movements historian at the University of California, Los Angeles, noted that the recent protests against police violence were more racially diverse than previous ones. The movement also successfully pushed the idea of defunding the police into the mainstream, with more people advocating for a complete overhaul of the system. Organizers focused on translating the energy of the protests into political power through voter registrations, making racial justice a significant campaign issue by the fall. Democratic candidates in their campaigns have focused on addressing racial disparities by advocating for police reform, dismantling cash bail systems, and creating civilian review boards. The death of George Floyd has sparked a new energy for change in American history, with a multiracial response never seen before. However, it is important to remember that the focus should be on holding individuals like Chauvin accountable and making systemic changes. One significant policy outcome has been the passing of new police oversight and reform laws in over 30 states since Floyd's death, giving states more authority and challenging the power of police unions. The alterations involve limiting the use of force, revamping disciplinary processes, increasing civilian supervision, and mandating transparency in cases of misconduct. However, policing systems are intricate and deeply rooted, so it is uncertain how much impact the new legislation will have in practice. Bailey, a racial reconciliation advocate in Richmond, acknowledges that America has a long history of racism but believes there has been progress in recent years. He notes that addressing a 350-year-old problem will take time, as the country is still in the early stages of correction.