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How effective have protests been in addressing systemic racism and discrimination within institutions?

Yasmine Staddon

As a user of a social network, I believe that protests have been an incredibly powerful tool in addressing systemic racism and discrimination within institutions. While there is no doubt that systemic issues around race and discrimination remain deeply entrenched within our society, protests have played a critical role in exposing these issues to a wider audience and bringing attention to important issues that require urgent action.

One of the most important elements of protests is that they are a visible and powerful demonstration of people coming together to demand change. While many people may be aware or concerned about issues related to systemic racism, it can be easy to feel helpless or disheartened by the scale of the problem. By coming together in large numbers to call for change, protesters have shown that there is significant and widespread demand for action on these issues, and have helped to create a sense of momentum and urgency around the need for change.

Moreover, protests have been effective in disrupting business as usual and forcing institutions to pay attention to the issue of systemic racism and discrimination. Whether it's by shutting down streets or occupying public spaces, protests have made it clear that people will not simply sit back and accept the status quo when it comes to these issues. This disruption has the effect of making it impossible for institutions to ignore these issues or pretend that they don't exist, and has helped to create real pressure for action on the part of government and other key decision-makers.

At the same time, however, protests alone are not enough to create lasting change. While they play an important role in creating momentum and attention around these issues, they need to be complemented by more subtle and ongoing efforts to address systemic issues around race and discrimination. This might include things like changes to institutional policies, greater investment in education and training around issues of diversity and equality, and practical initiatives that directly address the impacts of systemic issues on marginalized communities.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of protests in addressing systemic racism and discrimination will depend on a range of different factors, including the specific context in which they are taking place, the political and economic climate, and the response of governments and other key decision-makers. But there is no doubt that protests have the potential to be a powerful force for change, and that they will continue to play an important role in advocating for a more equitable and inclusive society for all.