The Impact of the George Floyd Protests on Real Change in America

Will the George Floyd Protests Lead to Real Change?

Will the George Floyd protests and riots cause America to make any real changes? The answer is multifaceted. While it is entirely possible that significant systemic changes could be initiated, the reality paints a more complex picture. Here, we explore the potential for changes in legislation, public awareness, and the limitations of protest-driven reform.

Potential for Legislative Change

There are two primary changes that could result from the George Floyd protests: policy reform and a reduction in public racism or discrimination. The first change could manifest through the passage of new laws limiting systemic racism by the US government. This would require either Democrats persuading 10 Republicans to pass the George Floyd Civil Rights bill, or Democrats eliminating the filibuster to pass it unilaterally.

The second change is already happening to some extent. Some individuals have become more cautious about expressing racism or discrimination in public after the intense backlash following the protests. However, others have likely grown more entrenched in their racist views due to the divisive rhetoric from certain media channels and political figures.

The Reality of Change

The naked truth is that most protest-driven changes, including the George Floyd protests, often serve as an exercise in making participants feel good about themselves without necessarily achieving concrete goals. For example, the arrest of the police officer who killed George Floyd, while significant, has already occurred. The protests did not lead to any new clear, actionable goals beyond general complaints about the existence of bad people.

Politicians, as expected, have sought to capitalize on the sentiment by advocating for measures like defunding the police. However, such measures are largely symbolic, as no rational person would believe that social workers can effectively replace the role of law enforcement in communities, especially those with high crime rates.

Limitations of Protest and Public Sentiment

The reality is that any true change in society requires a fundamental alteration in the thoughts and behaviors of individuals. To claim that the George Floyd protests directly led to any meaningful change in society would require the wholesale reprogramming of millions of people’s cognitive frameworks, an almost impossible task. Society, in its current state, comprises people with diverse views, including those who hold harmful and destructive beliefs.

Chanting and rioting are powerful expressions of protest, but they are not effective tools for changing the deeply ingrained aspects of human behavior and societal structures. Even negative events, such as burning down a local Walmart, do not influence individuals to reconsider their beliefs or actions. Similarly, forcing individuals to attend sensitivity classes is an attempt to address behavior rather than the underlying character flaws or societal issues.

Role of Legislation and Public Policy

While protests can spark social and political discussions, true change often comes from tangible legislation and public policy. Laws against discrimination and police brutality already exist, yet they are not always effectively enforced. The challenge lies in implementation and enforcement, not in the creation of new laws. As a society, we can enact and improve laws to protect people from harmful actions, but we cannot completely eradicate human nature and its propensity for wrongdoing.

Ultimately, achieving meaningful change involves a combination of legal measures and a continued effort to educate and evolve public consciousness. It is a long and ongoing process, not a one-off event initiated by protests. Dancing to the tune of societal change requires a sustained and intelligent approach, rather than impulsive and destructive actions.

Conclusion

The George Floyd protests and riots have undoubtedly had an impact, but the extent of their success in driving meaningful, lasting change is yet to be fully realized. While there is hope for legislative reforms and a reduction in public manifestations of racism, the true test will be in the continuation of these efforts and the ongoing work to address the root causes of systemic issues.

The experience of the George Floyd protests serves as a reminder of the complexity and multifaceted nature of social change, and the need for informed, persistent, and sometimes uncomfortable actions to push society towards a more just and equitable future.