The murder that shook the world is celebrating its fifth birthday this Sunday. On May 25, 2020, Derek Chauvin, a police officer from Minneapolis, decided to put his knee on George Floyd’s neck and keep it there for a whopping 90 seconds. This whole tragic incident was captured on camera by a teenager named Darnella Frazier and, as you may have guessed, it went viral. The aftermath of this horrific event led to Chauvin being convicted of not just one, but three charges – second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter.
The murder of George Floyd sparked a global outcry and ignited massive protests, all happening in the midst of a pandemic that was already causing chaos in the nation. This tragedy further fueled the Black Lives Matter movement, which has been fighting for justice and equality for Black people in America for a long time. The media went into a frenzy as they reported on various companies, big and small, scrambling to show their support for the protesters and promising to make changes to address past mistakes and improve diversity and inclusivity.
While other significant anniversaries of historical events often lead to documentaries and prime-time specials, the coverage of George Floyd’s fifth anniversary seems to be taking a more subdued approach. This comes at a time when the Trump administration has been attacking civil rights and diversity programs that were put in place after Floyd’s death. The media landscape is shifting, with some outlets planning in-depth reflections on Floyd’s legacy, while others are staying relatively quiet. The ongoing debates around issues like “wokeness” have also put a spotlight on major news networks like CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News.
As the nation marks this somber occasion, there are mixed feelings about the progress made since Floyd’s death. Selwyn Jones, Floyd’s uncle and co-founder of the Justice 929 Organization, expressed his concerns about the lack of substantial changes in laws and policies. He believes that the media has not done enough to keep the momentum of the social movement going. On the other hand, experts like Phillip Atiba Solomon, a psychologist and chair of African American Studies at Yale University, are skeptical about the extent of change that has taken place. Solomon, who co-founded the Center for Policing Equity, worries that the media might be painting an overly optimistic picture of the situation.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the progress made since George Floyd’s death, the media coverage of the anniversary is expected to be a mix of local and national reports. Networks like ABC News, CBS Minnesota, PBS, and NewsNation are planning special segments to reflect on the impact of Floyd’s murder and the ongoing fight for racial justice. As the nation remembers the tragic events of that fateful day, it is clear that the fight for equality and justice is far from over.
