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Yes, the #BLM Protests will create lasting change
This position holds that the Black Lives Matter protests will create lasting change. It argues this moment is different—more focused and universal than past movements—pointing to a clear set of proposals, a remarkable shift in public opinion, and broad support far beyond Black communities.
Supporting arguments · 4
- It's not just a black movement anymore“The long history of black folks in this country is conflict and struggle, between ourselves and the state and other interests within the society so that we can live free. And this is the first time that I think a lot of us have felt that the battle was legitimately joined, not just by white people but other people of color.” - Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vox
- There has been a remarkable change in public opinion“In what may represent one of the more rapid shifts in racial attitudes in recent U.S. history ... a broad majority of Americans now believe that both the police and society as a whole are beset by systemic racism.” — Andrew Romano, Yahoo News
- There is a clear set of proposals to defeat systemic racism“The protesters who have turned out over the past week also seem to be more aware of structural racism in the past, and prepared to combat it. Many seem to recognize that the criminal justice system is just one part of a panorama of structures of oppression across this country, from the criminalization of the poor to widespread, unequal access to housing, nutritious food, employment, environmental safety, health care, clean air, water and citizenship.” — Peniel E. Joseph, Politico
- 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