US adults’ belief in impact of BLM protests consistently decreased since 2020 – study

Yahoo! News - May 7th, 2025

This news story reflects on the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's death, highlighting a Pew Institute study that examines American adults' beliefs on race and racial issues. The study reveals a decline in support for the Black Lives Matter movement and a prevailing sentiment among Americans that the focus on race and racial inequality has not significantly improved the lives of Black people. While initial protests in 2020 saw widespread support for racial justice, recent surveys indicate a growing pessimism about progress, with a significant partisan divide in perceptions of police accountability and systemic changes.

The story underscores the broader context of racial justice in the United States, noting that political dynamics and leadership have influenced public sentiment and policy directions over the past five years. With Donald Trump in office again, many Americans express concern about the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The piece highlights the disparities in views across political affiliations, with Democrats largely viewing Trump's presidency as a setback to racial equality, while a significant portion of Republicans believes otherwise. This polarization reflects a nation divided on racial issues, raising questions about the future of racial justice and equality in the country.

Donald Trump Black Lives Matter George Floyd Racial Justice Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Police Accountability Pew Institute

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.8

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The story effectively addresses a timely and significant topic by examining the evolution of public perceptions and policy changes related to racial issues in the United States. It provides a balanced narrative by including perspectives from different political affiliations and racial backgrounds. However, the lack of explicit citations and detailed methodology limits the ability to verify some claims independently. The article's clarity and readability are generally strong, though the dense presentation of data could be streamlined for better comprehension. Its potential to influence public opinion and provoke debate is notable, given the controversial nature of the subjects discussed. Overall, the story is a valuable contribution to ongoing discussions on race, policing, and social justice, though it could benefit from enhanced transparency and source attribution.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that are largely aligned with available data, but some require further verification. For instance, the claim that 67% of US adults supported the Black Lives Matter movement in June 2020 is consistent with Pew Research findings. However, the decline to 52% is not explicitly verified in the sources provided. Additionally, the story mentions that nearly nine in ten Americans have seen videos of police violence, which aligns with the general trend of increased awareness but lacks specific citation. The claim about Trump's executive order ending DEI in the federal government is significant and needs precise verification, as it impacts the story's narrative on policy changes. Overall, while the story is generally accurate, some claims would benefit from direct source references.

Balance

The story attempts to present a balanced view by including perspectives from both Democrats and Republicans, as well as quotes from individuals of different racial backgrounds. However, it leans towards highlighting the negative impacts of the perceived rollback on diversity efforts and the administration's policies. The inclusion of a Republican view that emphasizes a return to MLK's ideals provides some balance, but the focus remains predominantly on the criticisms of the current administration and societal regression. This could give an impression of bias towards a particular viewpoint, potentially omitting more nuanced or positive perspectives on the changes discussed.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical progression from the historical context of George Floyd's death to current perceptions of racial issues. The language is straightforward, making the content accessible to a broad audience. However, the inclusion of multiple statistics and perspectives in a relatively condensed format may overwhelm some readers, potentially affecting comprehension. Breaking down complex data points or providing summaries could enhance clarity further.

Source quality

The story references a study by the Pew Institute, a reputable source for social research, which adds credibility to the data presented. However, the lack of direct citations or links to specific studies or reports within the text limits the ability to verify the claims independently. The story could improve by explicitly attributing data and quotes to specific studies or expert analyses, thereby enhancing the overall reliability and authority of the information provided.

Transparency

The article provides limited transparency regarding the methodology of the studies mentioned or the context of the quotes included. While it mentions a survey and a study, it does not delve into how these data were collected or the sample sizes involved. Additionally, the story does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that might affect the interpretation of the data, such as the political affiliations of the quoted individuals. Greater transparency in these areas would help readers better understand the basis of the claims and the potential influences on the story's impartiality.