World News for Students of English

21-05-2025 07:00

Five years after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, questions remain about progress on racial justice.

The video of Floyd’s death sparked protests and global outrage, leading to new efforts for change. Marc Morial, President of the National Urban League, says important steps were made, but recent developments are threatening that progress. The new administration has frozen all civil rights investigations, which he says could erode what has been achieved. A recent report, George Floyd Five Years Later, shows that while some companies have kept their diversity commitments, many have made only cosmetic changes or stepped back. Police reform and training have improved in some cities, but the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act has still not passed.

Morial believes the fight for fairness is not over. Local governments, police, and community leaders still have the chance to create change. But the fear is that without strong support, old problems will remain, and progress will stop.

Difficult words: erode (gradually weaken or destroy), commitment (a promise or strong decision to do or support something), cosmetic (made to look better on the outside, but not a real or deep change).

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