- BFA Collective
- Posts
- What's Changed Since George Floyd?
What's Changed Since George Floyd?
Five years after George Floyd’s killing, has anything really changed? New data reveals surprising shifts in views on race, policing, and the BLM movement.
Dale Harris
May 13, 2025
In partnership with
“My job here isn’t to prove people wrong, it’s to prove myself right.” — Shedeur Sanders
Spread the word: Forward this email to a friend who’ll love it!
Good morning, BFA Collective! A newly resurface CIA document from the Cold War era claims a psychic remotely viewed three extraterrestrial bases, two here on Earth and one on Saturn’s moon, Titan. Part of the now-declassified Stargate Project, the file describes beings with strange features, circular control panels, and even a humanoid woman with brown hair. It’s weird, vague, and kind of hilarious… but also hard to look away from.
MAIN STORY
🔥 BLM, Policing, and Progress—Or the Lack of It
⚡ THE SPARK
Tyre Nichols cried out for his mother as five officers beat him less than 100 yards from her home. This week, three of those officers were acquitted on all charges.
Five years ago, millions filled the streets screaming “Black Lives Matter.” Today, half the country is too exhausted to care. Pew data shows support for BLM has dropped 15 points since 2020 and 72% of Americans now say the 2020 protests didn’t improve Black lives. Tyre's killers? Still walking free on state charges.
So what exactly did all the marching, the hashtags, the corporate statements actually change? Because it’s starting to feel like nothing.
🧠 THE LAYER BELOW
Skepticism surged: In 2020, 52% of Americans believed the protests would better Black lives; today, only 27% see tangible change, per Pew Research.
BLM’s fading support: Support for Black Lives Matter dropped from 67% in 2020 to 52% in 2025, reflecting disillusionment or backlash.
Police reform stalled: Despite viral videos of police violence, 54% of Americans say police-Black relations are unchanged since Floyd’s death.
Corporate retreat: Companies like Target rolled back DEI initiatives, with only 20% of Americans in 2020 believing corporate anti-racism statements were genuine.
Emotional exhaustion: Half of Americans feel “exhausted” by race discussions, yet 69% of Black adults say too little attention is paid to racial issues.
Partisan divide: Democrats (82%) are far more likely than Republicans (14%) to expect Trump’s policies to worsen racial issues.
Justice denied: Nichols’ case echoes a pattern, officers acquitted on state charges despite federal convictions, leaving families like his in limbo.
🎯 THE REAL QUESTION
If 2020 couldn’t change the system, what will it actually take to make Black lives matter in America?
🔮 WHAT’S NEXT
The data paints a picture of fading hope and deepening fatigue, five years after a moment that promised transformation. The initial surge of attention and corporate statements often felt performative, lacking the deep commitment needed for structural change. The backlash against DEI and waning optimism aren't just statistics; they reflect a retreat from the hard work demanded in 2020.
But exhaustion cannot be the final word. Recognizing the gap between the promise of 2020 and the reality of 2025 is crucial. Progress isn't guaranteed by moments of outrage; it's built through sustained pressure, policy change, and confronting the uncomfortable truth that hashtags and heartfelt statements don't automatically dismantle deeply entrenched systems. The real work lies beyond the flashpoint.
This time, we don’t go quiet.
CAST YOUR VOTE
Do you think the U.S. has made real progress on racial equality since 2020? |
Come for the news, stay for the laughs
Morning Brew isn’t just any newsletter—it’s your free shortcut to business news that actually matters. Fast, fun, and—dare we say—enjoyable.
No fluff, no jargon, and it takes less time to read than it does to brew your coffee (unless you’ve got a Keurig—then you might get to enjoy your Morning Brew with your actual brew).
Join over 4 million professionals who read it daily. Delivered bright and early, it’s news on your time—whether you read it when you wake up, over lunch, or before bed.
TRENDING
🇿🇦 Trump Fast-Tracks White South African Refugees—But What Persecution Are They Fleeing?
🎥 Tyler Perry Casts Taraji in Another Struggling Role—But Black Twitter Says It’s Part of a Bigger Problem
🐻 The WNBA Isn’t Just Growing—It’s Becoming a Cultural Powerhouse, One Mascot at a Time
👔 From Streaming Hit to Sudden Flop: Why Suits LA Got Canceled After Just One Season
📲 Apple’s $95M Siri Snooping Payout: See If You Qualify for a Piece of the Settlement
🦾 Robots Are Rising—But Where Does That Leave Human Workers? Amazon’s New ‘Feeling’ Bot Offers a Clue
🧩 Autism Is More Than a Diagnosis: Debunking Myths and Supporting Families with the Facts
🙏🏾 John Cena Opens Up About Skin Cancer Scare: “That Call Changed My Life”
THE FLIP SIDE
💸 U.S. and China Reach Temporary Tariff Deal, Easing Trade Tensions. The U.S. and China have agreed to reduce steep tariffs on each other’s goods for 90 days following trade talks in Geneva. American tariffs will drop from 145% to 30%, while China’s fall from 125% to 10%. Both sides praised the negotiations as productive and pledged further dialogue. While the deal offers short-term relief for global markets and businesses, uncertainty remains about the long-term direction of U.S.-China trade relations. (NPR)
😮 Diddy Trial in Turmoil as Key Witness Goes Missing on Eve of Opening Statements. Sean “Diddy” Combs’ high-profile sex trafficking trial is in jeopardy as a key prosecution witness, known as Victim-3, has gone missing just hours before opening statements. Her absence could lead to a mistrial or delay, giving the defense unexpected leverage. With potential life-altering charges on the table, the trial—already marked by controversy, celebrity testimony, and past abuse claims—now faces major uncertainty as both sides prepare for Monday’s courtroom showdown. (Deadline)
🤖 Zuckerberg’s AI “Friends” Plan Sparks Backlash Amid Loneliness Crisis. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says AI chatbots could solve America’s loneliness epidemic—by becoming your new best friends. In a recent interview, he claimed most people want more than three friends and suggested virtual companions could fill that gap. But critics are calling the idea dystopian, especially as Meta faces backlash over AI chatbots giving explicit or unethical advice. With trust in tech eroding, many are asking: Is this the future we really want? (Futurism)
👨🏻 Jasmine Crockett Says Dem Donors Want the 'Safest White Boy' for 2028—and They’ve Already Picked One. Rep. Jasmine Crockett claims top Democratic donors are rallying behind a white male candidate for 2028, driven by fears of losing with a woman after defeats with Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton. Speaking on SiriusXM’s Urban View, Crockett said major backers have already chosen “one specific candidate”—though she didn’t name him. Her comments have reignited debate over race, gender, and electability in the Democratic Party’s future. (Independent)
Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Highest 2 Lowest
A24 just dropped the teaser for Highest 2 Lowest, Spike Lee’s reimagining of Kurosawa’s High and Low, starring Denzel Washington as a powerful music mogul caught in a ransom plot. Set to James Brown’s “The Big Payback,” the film also features A$AP Rocky, Jeffrey Wright, and Ice Spice in her acting debut. Premiering at Cannes this May, the movie hits theaters August 22 before streaming on Apple TV+ September 5.
Reader’s Favorites:
What did you think of today's newsletter? |
Reply