Beyond the Headlines

Beyond the Headlines: George Floyd and how social media is changing social justice

The killing of George Floyd, and the following protest movement, has been watched closely across social media. What does that mean for racial progress?

Archer Hill

June 11, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

On the evening of May 25, George Floyd walked into a shop in Minneapolis and tried to use a $20 note.

Within half an hour, his limp body was loaded into an ambulance.

What happened in between has been viewed millions of times across social media platforms and news channels around the world.

On this week's Beyond the Headlines, Archer Hill, social media journalist at The National,  looks at how phone cameras and social media have affected racial progress in the US, and globally.

A demonstrator wearing a protective mask attends a Black Lives Matter protest in Amsterdam, Netherlands. REUTERS
A demonstrator wearing a protective mask attends a Black Lives Matter protest in Amsterdam, Netherlands. REUTERS
Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, testifies during the US House Judiciary Committee hearing on "Policing Practices and Law Enforcement Accountability" on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. REUTERS
Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, testifies during the US House Judiciary Committee hearing on "Policing Practices and Law Enforcement Accountability" on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. REUTERS
George Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd, reacts during the US House Judiciary Committee hearing. Reuters
George Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd, reacts during the US House Judiciary Committee hearing. Reuters
Philonise Floyd marches with other demonstrators near the White House, to protest police brutality and racism, in Washington, DC. AFP
Philonise Floyd marches with other demonstrators near the White House, to protest police brutality and racism, in Washington, DC. AFP
Protestors take part in a Take The Knee demonstration in solidarity with Black Lives Matter in Windrush Square, Brixton, south west London. AFP
Protestors take part in a Take The Knee demonstration in solidarity with Black Lives Matter in Windrush Square, Brixton, south west London. AFP
Children take part in a protest against racism and police violence during a "Black Lives Matter" demonstration in Duque de Caxias, Brazil. AP Photo
Children take part in a protest against racism and police violence during a "Black Lives Matter" demonstration in Duque de Caxias, Brazil. AP Photo
San Francisco Mayor London Breed the first African-American woman mayor in the city's history, takes a knee with protesters for eight minutes and forty-six seconds to participate in a Kneeling for Justice demonstration. EPA
San Francisco Mayor London Breed the first African-American woman mayor in the city's history, takes a knee with protesters for eight minutes and forty-six seconds to participate in a Kneeling for Justice demonstration. EPA
People walk past a make-shift memorial of people who have died in police custody in Oakland, California, USA. EPA
People walk past a make-shift memorial of people who have died in police custody in Oakland, California, USA. EPA
Demonstrators lie face down with their hands behind their backs during a protest in Oakland, California. EPA
Demonstrators lie face down with their hands behind their backs during a protest in Oakland, California. EPA
Supporters of Black Lives Matter, hold signs during a protest outside the Hall of Justice in Los Angeles, California. AFP
Supporters of Black Lives Matter, hold signs during a protest outside the Hall of Justice in Los Angeles, California. AFP
Demonstrators lie face down with their hands behind their backs during a protest following the death of George Floyd, who died in police custody, in Oakland, California. EPA
Demonstrators lie face down with their hands behind their backs during a protest following the death of George Floyd, who died in police custody, in Oakland, California. EPA
Bubba Wallace, driver of the #43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet, wears a "I Can't Breathe - Black Lives Matter" t-shirt under his fire suit in solidarity with protesters around the world, speaks to the media prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Virginia. Getty Images
Bubba Wallace, driver of the #43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet, wears a "I Can't Breathe - Black Lives Matter" t-shirt under his fire suit in solidarity with protesters around the world, speaks to the media prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Virginia. Getty Images
Cyclists gather for a mass ride in protest of systemic racism in policing in Brooklyn, New York City. Getty Images
Cyclists gather for a mass ride in protest of systemic racism in policing in Brooklyn, New York City. Getty Images
A woman with a red hand painted on her face, which calls attention to the high rates of indigenous women who are murdered or missing, raises a sign in solidarity in Denver, Colorado. Reuters
A woman with a red hand painted on her face, which calls attention to the high rates of indigenous women who are murdered or missing, raises a sign in solidarity in Denver, Colorado. Reuters
Protesters surround a statue of Christopher Columbus before marching, eventually returning and pulling it down in Richmond, Virginia. Another statue of Christopher Columbus was beheaded in Boston. AFP
Protesters surround a statue of Christopher Columbus before marching, eventually returning and pulling it down in Richmond, Virginia. Another statue of Christopher Columbus was beheaded in Boston. AFP
People attend a Black Lives Matter Denmark rally in Odense, Denmark. AP
People attend a Black Lives Matter Denmark rally in Odense, Denmark. AP
The White House is seen through the hole of a "Black Lives Matter" banner displaying crosses with the names of black victims who died of police brutality in Washington, DC. AFP
The White House is seen through the hole of a "Black Lives Matter" banner displaying crosses with the names of black victims who died of police brutality in Washington, DC. AFP

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