The expert: Therefore, the protests will probably not lead to change

Although the violent arrest of George Floyd is not the first case of police brutality in the United States this year, the case has led to a wave of protests in the country.

What is different now is that the issue encompasses more dimensions than just police violence, says Frida Stranne, US expert and researcher at Halmstad University and Uppsala University.

- We are in the midst of a time that has been extremely hard on African Americans, where their life situation and the discrimination they live in has become so topical because of the corona pandemic. Blacks have died to a much higher degree in the United States because of poor health, education and finances, she says.

The already prevailing public concern may be one of the reasons why the reactions to the Floyd arrest have become so enormous.

- Time and time again, similar cases have been noticed, but in practice very little has changed. And, in relation to the crisis that you are in, it seems so clear that you are discriminated against in many ways, says Stranne.

But despite the huge scale of the protests, Frida Stranne is skeptical that they will lead to actual changes for blacks in the United States.

- It is a very slow process to bring about general improvements for blacks because the racist structures are so deeply rooted and contain many different factors. Everything from economic inequalities to mental barriers.

Probably, the protests will lead to more American politicians now talking more about these issues, especially ahead of this fall's election.

- But we have heard that before and many African Americans are tired of beautiful words but lack concrete change and this is perhaps a reason why these protests are constantly escalating because they do not believe in the promises.

However, a difference today is that various human rights organizations, such as the Black Lives Matter movement, have grown stronger in recent years and will be able to continue to push these issues further with increased vigor.

- It is clear that it will have a different impact, when compared to when you depend on other media to raise and keep the issues going. But there are still many things that need to change in order for African Americans to have a better life situation.