Today, Explained The backlash to America’s racial reckoning
12 snips
Jun 3, 2024 
Fabiola Cineas, a Vox journalist, discusses the stagnation in the fight against systemic racism post-George Floyd's murder. She reveals how initial momentum sparked global protests yet faced unexpected backlash. Michael Serrazio, a communications professor, analyzes the complexities of brand activism in racial justice, highlighting the pitfalls brands face when navigating authenticity. Together, they explore the tenuous relationship between societal progress, corporate responses, and the backlash that has reshaped America's racial discourse.
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Performative Allyship in 2020
- The 2020 George Floyd protests sparked a wave of performative allyship.
- Examples include black squares on Instagram and public feet washing ceremonies.
Initial Backlash to 2020 Protests
- The initial protests and calls for change were met with immediate backlash.
- This included characterizing protests as riots and Trump's calls for National Guard deployment.
Rittenhouse and Book Bans
- The Kyle Rittenhouse acquittal fueled the backlash against the racial justice movement.
- Book bans targeting authors and characters of color further intensified the backlash.
