Staff Reports
The Black Lives Matter movement started in 2013 after the death of Trayvon Martin. Over the years, it has become a major force in American politics. Support for BLM has dropped sharply since 2020, with only 42% of White adults now backing it compared to 60% in 2020. Many Americans feel the movement hasn’t delivered real change for Black communities despite years of protests and donations.
Critics point to questions about where the money went. The BLM Global Network Foundation got over $100 million in donations but faced accusations of mismanagement. Some people wonder if the funds actually helped Black neighborhoods or just paid for fancy offices and salaries. This has caused even some supporters to pull back their support.
Polling shows most Americans think BLM hasn’t improved race relations or police accountability. Only 8% believe it helped Black lives get better. Videos of police violence spread widely online, but 54% of Americans say those clips made police jobs harder. Trust in law enforcement dropped sharply, especially among Black Americans who saw the footage.
The movement’s push to “defund the police” divided the country. While big cities like Minneapolis cut police budgets, crime rates spiked afterward. Many working-class Black families worried less policing would leave their communities vulnerable. Others argued the focus on protests distracted from real solutions like better schools or job programs.
On the streets of BLM Plaza, reactions were mixed. One man said, “All that marching didn’t put food on my table.” A woman added, “They got rich while we got promises.” Some praised BLM for highlighting racism but wanted more focus on black-owned businesses and mentorship programs instead of constant demonstrations.
Conservative leaders argue BLM fuels division instead of unity. They say the movement’s radical calls to abolish police and prisons go too far. Figures like Candace Owens have blasted BLM leaders for pushing policies that hurt the very people they claim to help. They argue true equality comes through hard work, not handouts or hashtags.
Despite the backlash, 81% of Black adults still support BLM’s core message against racism. But even supporters admit the movement lost its way. Older Black voters often prefer groups like the NAACP or black churches that focus on practical help over protests. Younger activists want new leaders who can turn slogans into solid policies.
As the 2024 election nears, BLM’s influence keeps fading. The once-bright yellow letters on D.C.’s BLM Plaza are now cracked and faded—a symbol of unmet hopes. While racism remains a real issue, many Americans believe lasting change will come through unity, not division, and through rebuilding trust in institutions rather than tearing them down.
