Political winds are shifting in the direction of change
“The evidence of police brutality has become too widespread even for elected officials to ignore. They can no longer easily coddle police unions in exchange for political support; now ignoring police misconduct will become a political liability, and perhaps something will change.” — Farhad Manjoo, New York Times
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The Argument
Over recent years, the Black Lives Matter movement has gained widespread attention from viral outrage and continuous protests not only in America but all over the world. With the killing of George Floyd in March 2020, whose video circulated all over Twitter and other social media platforms, the movement reached a tipping point. Powerful protests took over the street, condemning police brutality against Black people and fighting for their justice. [1]
As the protestors continue to demand justice, changes in the United States have come into effect. Minneapolis' City Council decided on banning the use of chokeholds by the police. They also required officers to report and intervene when they witness an authorized use of force by another officer. In Buffalo and Louisville, officers were suspended and fired for their misconduct and use of unjust violence.
Changes have not only been happening in the United States but all over the world. In England, London's mayor Sadiq Khan has launched a "diversity commission" to investigate statues with ties to slavery, and instead, what new statues should be erected. In Canada, Mexico, and Syria, people have demanded justice and protested in the streets to raise awareness. [2]
Counter arguments
The Black Lives Matter movement comes with challenges towards policy reformation, which will lead to backlash from people who don't want change. The bipartisan divide in Congress concerning laws such as immigration, guns, defunding the police will make it difficult to create policy solutions, and no monumental change will come into effect.[3]