Five Years After George Floyd: The Ongoing Fight for Justice and Equality

Five Years After George Floyd: A Nation Reflects, Divides, and Pushes Forward

It’s been five years since George Floyd’s tragic death shook the world—and while some say progress was made, others argue we've taken giant steps backward. For Shareeduh McGee, Floyd’s cousin, the pain is still fresh. She's on a mission to keep his legacy alive, even as the momentum for racial equity seems to be unraveling.

“His death was the ultimate sacrifice,” McGee said during a tribute event in Houston this past week. “If nothing changes—if there’s no learning, no progress—then it was all in vain.”

Across the globe, millions poured into the streets in 2020 after video captured Floyd, a Black man from Minneapolis, pleading for his life beneath the knee of a police officer. His chilling words—“I can’t breathe”—ignited a firestorm that forced the world to confront the deep, systemic cracks in justice and policing. Corporate America scrambled to make pledges, political leaders vowed reform, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) became the new buzzwords.

But where are we now?

Fast forward to 2025, and things look... different. Very different.

• Corporate pledges? Many have disappeared.

• DEI programs? Under attack or shelved entirely.

• Conversations about race? Not nearly as loud.

And now, with Donald Trump back in the Oval Office, the shift in tone and action is even more evident. Policies meant to ensure fairness and representation have been scaled back. While some of these changes started before his return, advocates see the current climate as a dangerous rollback of what little progress had been achieved.

“There’s a growing fatigue in this country,” says NAACP President Derrick Johnson. “George Floyd’s murder was a wake-up call. But now, we’re back to hitting the snooze button.”

Civil Rights: Still Fighting, Still Frustrated

Even though the massive rallies have stopped, many civil rights advocates are still in the trenches, fighting for equity and justice. They admit it’s been an uphill battle, with momentum fading fast. Still, they insist the movement didn’t die—it evolved.

Melina Abdullah, a founding member of BLM Grassroots, puts it plainly:

“We’re at a crossroads. But that just means it’s time to redouble our efforts. We’re pushing at the state level now—funding mental health responders, fighting for Black trans rights, and tackling systemic issues head-on.”

It’s not just grassroots efforts either. The Movement for Black Lives (M4BL), a coalition of over 100 organizations, remains steadfast in its mission.

“Being Black in America means you’ve always had to fight back,” says Amara Enyia, co-executive of M4BL. “This fight didn’t start in 2020, and it sure hasn’t stopped.”

The Corporate Dilemma: Stand Up or Stand Down?

One of the most glaring reversals has come from corporate America. In 2020, brands and CEOs tripped over themselves to make statements and issue million-dollar pledges. Fast forward five years, and many of those promises have faded into silence.

• Some companies have quietly discontinued DEI programs.

• Others have backtracked under political pressure.

• And many are simply staying out of the spotlight.

Rev. Al Sharpton, who delivered Floyd’s eulogy in 2020, isn’t having it. He’s organizing a major march on Wall Street this August to hold companies accountable.

“They can’t afford to lose our dollars,” Sharpton said. “We need to keep pressing CEOs to bring back or maintain their DEI commitments. Representation matters. Investment in our communities matters.”

But not everyone agrees on how to get there. Kevin McGary, a conservative activist and founder of Every Black Life Matters, believes merit should lead the way.

“I think companies caved to pressure in 2020,” McGary said. “Equity is fine—but let’s not forget excellence and qualification should come first.”

This tug-of-war between inclusion and merit has become central to the backlash.

Public Sentiment: Optimism Fades

A new Pew Research Center survey released in May 2025 paints a grim picture of the public’s outlook on racial equity:

• 72% of adults say the spotlight on inequality hasn’t helped Black Americans.

• 67% of Black respondents say they’re doubtful racial equality will ever be achieved.

“There’s been a huge shift in perception,” said Juliana Horowitz, co-author of the Pew report. “People are far more skeptical now compared to five years ago.”

That loss of hope isn't lost on the academic community either. Dr. Nadia Brown, a Georgetown professor and expert in race and gender studies, sees historical parallels.

“After Reconstruction, it took 12 years and several elections to enter the Jim Crow era. This time, we saw the undoing of racial progress in less than five,” she noted. “The optimism we had in 2020? It’s gone.”

So, what did the movement accomplish?

While sweeping federal reform never fully materialized, the Black Lives Matter movement undeniably shifted the conversation.

“It changed how people see Black communities,” says Dr. Brown. “It introduced a systemic lens to understanding race and power in the U.S.—something we hadn’t seen on such a large scale before.”

There were tangible wins, too. Under President Biden, some police officers involved in misconduct were convicted, and the Justice Department launched a dozen investigations into police departments for civil rights violations.

But with Biden gone and Trump back, none of those investigations led to lasting settlements—and the fear is that the next wave of abuse will go unchecked.

“We made some progress, no doubt,” said Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League. “But it wasn’t enough. Now, we need local leaders—mayors, councils, and state reps—to carry the torch of police reform.”

What's Next?

Despite fatigue, frustration, and political division, one thing is clear: the fight isn't over.

• Community activists are shifting focus to state and local policies.

• Civil rights leaders are planning new marches and accountability campaigns.

• Everyday Americans, like Shareeduh McGee, continue to speak out.

“We can’t let George’s story be forgotten,” McGee says. “We owe it to him—and to everyone else lost to police violence—to keep pushing.”

Final Thoughts

The fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s death isn't just a moment to reflect—it's a call to action. Yes, the tides have shifted. Yes, there’s been resistance. But the spirit of the movement is still alive in communities, courtrooms, classrooms, and protests across the country.

Whether through policy, protest, or corporate accountability, the fight for justice remains one of America’s most pressing and unfinished struggles.