RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND BLACK LIVES IN THE UNITED STATES: A CASE STUDY OF GEORGE FLOYD’S BLACK LIVES MATTER

ABSTRACT This study examines the persistence of racial discrimination in the United States, focusing on the killing of George Floyd and the subsequent global mobilization of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. It explores how Floyd’s death became a catalyst for renewed national and international discourse on systemic racism, police brutality, and social justice. Drawing on Critical Race Theory and Agency Theory, the research analyzes the structural nature of racial inequality, the institutional failures in law enforcement accountability, and the sociopolitical conditions that fueled mass protests. The study investigates the BLM movement’s role in shaping public opinion, influencing policy debates, and challenging entrenched power structures, while also assessing the effectiveness of post-2020 reform efforts. Using a qualitative case study approach, it situates the George Floyd incident within the historical trajectory of racial oppression against African Americans, highlighting the interplay between activism, media framing, and political opportunity structures. The findings underscore the need for transformative reforms that address not only policing practices but also broader systemic inequities across social, economic, and political domain