The Complex Story of Black Lives Matter’s Waning Support in the U.S.

Trebles of social reform echoed through the world as the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement came into the limelight in 2020. The movement grew from a grassroots social media campaign to an international social awakening, gaining widespread support before experiencing a gradual shift in viewpoints among its American followers. A report [1] by the Pew Research Centre draws from a diverse pool of data to explore how these views have changed over time and examines the potential factors influencing this evolution. This article aims to analyse and explain this gradual shift, through statistical data and academic research that reveal reasons for both the support and opposition to the movement influenced by race, political polarisation, media influence, and national priorities have changed over time and examines the potential factors influencing this evolution. This article aims to analyse and explain this gradual shift, through statistical data and academic research that reveal reasons for both the support and opposition to the movement influenced by race, political polarisation, media influence, and national priorities

From Protests to the Mainstream: How BLM Became a Major Movement While the pivotal moment of the BLM movement was the killing of George Floyd, a Black man who died while in police custody in Minneapolis, the origins of the movement are traced to 2013 following the acquittal of George Zimmerman, who shot an unarmed black teenager. A movement that began as a social media call to action, grew into a grassroots movement focused on addressing systemic racism, police brutality, and violence against Black communities; in 2020, 67% of Americans expressed their approval of the movement. This widespread mobilisation marked a historic moment for BLM, solidifying its influence and setting the stage for deeper discussions on racial inequality. Support in Flux: Tracking the Rise and Shifts in BLM Backing The Report highlights the drop, from the initial two-thirds of Americans that expressed approval of the movement, to a recent 51% support rate. There seems to be a particular partisan divide that continues to deepen, the study reveals that while support remains strong among Democrats, Republican opposition to the movement has hardened. Sociologist Corey D. explains how social divisions influence how BLM is perceived by different communities :“As BLM remains at the forefront, it can also provoke a backlash from those who view the movement as incompatible with their own cultural or racial identity”. This is evident among political lines where an overwhelming 87% of Democrats believe the BLM goals are justified whereas only 42% of Republicans share that opinion. Republicans tend to focus more on the methods of the movement citing concerns about civil unrest, economic disruption, and rising crime rates, contributing to the overall decline in support. Mixed Views: Unpacking Public Perception of BLM's Aims and Actions The Report highlights a divide in perception of the BLM’s goals versus methods, revealing that while 56% of respondents support the movement and its goals, they remain uncomfortable with its methods of protest that lead to social unrest or confrontation with law enforcement. Scholars like Juliet Hooker at Brown University emphasise the continuity of protest dynamics and how current criticisms of BLM echo earlier critiques of the Civil Rights Movement. J. Hooker suggests that while the Civil Rights Movement is accepted today as peaceful, it faced widespread opposition and accusations of radicalism, similar to BLM. This context may help to explain how BLM’s tactics, especially during periods of civil unrest, have polarised public opinion, showing the complexities of societal change through protest and the resistance it often meets. Through the Lens of Race: How Background Shapes Support for BLM Race and ethnicity are shown to be the driving forces influencing the public view of BLM. Reports show an overwhelming 83% support from the Black Americans, in contrast to White Americans whose support is reported to have dropped from 60% in 2020 to the current 45%. This can be explained through the social identity theory, which states that social movements like BLM can inadvertently intensify ingroup-outgroup divisions where people’s self-concept is heavily influenced by their perceived group memberships, suggesting that White Americans may feel alienated due to perceived exclusion, leading to defensive reactions and declined support for the BLM movement, which is seen as primarily for Black Americans.

Headlines and Hype: Media’s Role in Warping BLM’s Narrative In the modern world, the media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion. Alvin B., a political scientist from Northwestern University studies how “BLM has been painted as a radical, divisive force…People are being encouraged to see it as part of a threat rather than as part of a push for equality”. The Report defines the type of media consumption as a key factor influencing support for the movement, as 77% of those who consume conservative media oppose BLM, whereas 70% of those who consume liberal or centrist media tend to be more supportive. David Sirota criticises the media's portrayal of the movement, claiming that disinformation about protests and crime rates has contributed to a drop in support. “When the media frames every BLM protest around any instance of violence or destruction, it distracts from the core issues and reinforces public fear rather than sympathy”, this seems to have led to a phenomenon known as moral panic, where people believe the movement is threatening social order. Media has created a lens through which people perceive BLM as divisive, reducing support across various demographics Shifting Focus: How National Priorities Have Evolved Over Time There seems to be a shift in priority among White Americans and Republicans whose concerns have shifted to issues regarding economy, public safety, and national security in recent years, contributing to the 49% who believe that other issues require priority over racial injustice, in contrast to the 39% of Americans who still prioritise it as a top issue. Sociologist Amin Ghaziani from University of British Columbia says “People get exhausted when social justice issues are in the spotlight for extended periods; it creates a sense of urgency fatigue and emotional burnout, which can deflate public support even for important causes” connecting the shifting support to broader social fatigue, particularly around the discussion of race and equality. Age Divide: Generational Perspectives on Social Movements The Report also highlights a generational divide in the support for the movement. Showcasing that the younger generations (born after 1996) that grew up with exposure to social media prove to be more progressive with 67% expressing approval. In contrast, support is much lower among the older generations (born 1946-1964), that may have less exposure to these movements online and are more likely to view them through the lens of traditional media with only 41% backing BLM. Conclusion The Pew Research Center analysis gives a comprehensive look at Americans' changing sentiments about Black Lives Matter. Political affiliation, race, media consumption, and shifting national priorities all play important roles in these changing perspectives. While some populations, particularly Black Americans and younger generations, continue to support the movement; Conservatives, Republicans, and older Americans are increasingly opposed. As the national discussion evolves, so will popular impressions of the BLM. With serious issues like the economy and public safety taking centre stage, the movement may need to change its message in order to regain broad support. However, its position as a forceful force for racial justice is still vital, especially in communities of colour who continue to suffer the consequences of systemic inequity.