Economist Podcasts Say his name, and others’: American protests spread globally
Jun 8, 2020
Simon Long, The Economist's deputy digital editor, dives into the global wave of protests ignited by George Floyd's death, highlighting the interconnected struggles for racial justice across nations. He examines how America’s allies are politically challenged while rivals capitalize on these movements. The discussion also touches on the unexpected rise in female unemployment due to the pandemic and the nostalgic trend of remastering classic video games, linking financial motivations with cultural phenomena.
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Global Protests Target Statues
- Protesters worldwide are tearing down statues of controversial historical figures.
- In Bristol, a statue of slave trader Edward Colston was removed, and in Brussels, a statue of King Leopold II met the same fate.
Local Issues Fuel Global Protests
- While showing solidarity with US protests, demonstrators also address local injustices.
- Issues range from police brutality against minorities in France and Britain to Aboriginal deaths in custody in Australia.
Differing Responses to US Protests
- America's allies largely responded with silence to the protests and Trump's handling of them.
- Rivals like Russia, China, and Iran used the events to highlight American hypocrisy and deflect criticism of their own actions.