Americans Mark Five Years Since George Floyd's Murder

Five years after the death of George Floyd, his final words continue to echo in the ongoing fight for racial justice. Floyd’s murder sparked a global movement demanding accountability from law enforcement and highlighting the systemic racism faced by Black communities. Corporations and government bodies responded with pledges to address inequality, and discussions on racial injustice became more mainstream.

However, five years later, the momentum has waned. Many of the promises, especially those from corporate America and public institutions, have been scaled back or abandoned. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs have come under fire, particularly with the return of Donald Trump to the political scene. Some of these reversals even began before his reemergence.

At a recent memorial event in Houston, McGee expressed frustration, noting that if meaningful change doesn’t follow Floyd’s death, his sacrifice risks being in vain. She criticized the Justice Department’s decision to drop certain oversight measures that were prompted by Floyd’s killing and similar incidents involving Black Americans.

Despite setbacks, advocates argue that the movement for racial justice persists. But they also admit the journey ahead is difficult, marked by strong resistance to diversity initiatives and civil rights advocacy. NAACP President Derrick Johnson said Floyd’s death forced many Americans to confront the reality of systemic racism, especially against Black men. Yet he also acknowledged a growing national fatigue with racial justice efforts.

Historians say backlash following racial progress is nothing new. Following the civil rights era, similar cycles of regression occurred. Georgetown professor Nadia Brown noted how quickly the racial reckoning sparked by Floyd’s death unraveled—far faster than the rollback of Reconstruction-era gains.

According to a May 2025 Pew Research Center survey, 72% of Americans said the focus on racial inequality hasn’t resulted in real improvements for Black communities. Moreover, 67% of Black Americans expressed doubt that true racial equality will ever be achieved.

Juliana Horowitz, one of the Pew report’s authors, described a clear rise in skepticism over the past five years. Americans remain divided on whether companies should continue making public stances on political or social matters. Many businesses have quietly dropped or softened their DEI initiatives.

Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton, who delivered Floyd’s eulogy, plans to commemorate the anniversary with a march on Wall Street. He emphasized the power of consumer pressure, urging corporations to uphold their DEI commitments.

Advocates continue calling on companies to diversify leadership and invest in marginalized communities. Meanwhile, conservative voices like Kevin McGary argue that DEI measures lack meritocratic foundations, insisting that excellence should remain the standard for all hiring.

The movement is now at a crossroads. Though it hasn’t delivered sweeping policy changes, experts say Black Lives Matter fundamentally shifted the national discourse. It encouraged Americans to examine racism through a systemic lens.

Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, acknowledged that under President Joe Biden, some officers were convicted and multiple investigations into police misconduct were launched. Still, without binding reforms, the future of those efforts is uncertain. He called on local governments to take the lead in continuing police reform where federal action has stalled.