Left: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 24: Strip club DJ Jack Slammy of Nevada (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Right: STONE MOUNTAIN, GA - JUNE 16: Michelle Sheffield (Photo by Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)
Trigger warning: This article contains images and themes of race-motivated violence that may be distressing to some readers.
The past year, 2020, saw protests break out in all 50 states in America over the police killing George Floyd. Protests raged on and highlighted the systemic racism that still plagues America. The pandemic then took hold all over America and within no time saw protests from the white community about not being able to get haircuts, refusing to wear masks, and refusing to get vaccinated. The protests highlighted more than anything what white privilege looks like. While the Black community was fighting to just exist, many white people were refusing to listen to scientists and doctors that would help contain the virus. More than a year on, it's become evident that vaccines work, to the point that 97% of the people getting hospitalized after contracting the virus are unvaccinated people. Many conservatives and right-wing media have quite often justified their right to protest the CDC guidelines by citing the Black Lives Matter protests and it reveals white privilege more than anything.
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 19: A protester wears an 'I can't breathe" face mask during a Juneteenth rally and march at the Port of Oakland on June 19, 2020 in Oakland, California. Thousands of union longshoremen and Black Lives Matter activists participated in a rally and march to observe Juneteenth at the Port of Oakland, one of dozens of ports on the west coast to shut down operations for the day. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Here are 25 images that highlight the stark difference of Black community fighting to exist in America while many white people flaunting their privilege, and also sabotaging the lives of others by refusing to get vaccinated or wear a mask:
1. Black Lives Matter protests
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 20: Black Lives Matter activist holds a sign against police brutality in front of the Ohio Statehouse in reaction to the shooting of Makiyah Bryant on April 20, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Police Shot and killed Makiyah Bryant, 16 years old, on April 20, 2021 sparking outrage from the community. (Photo by Stephen Zenner/Getty Images)
2. Re-open protests
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 24: Strip club DJ Jack Slammy of Nevada displays a sign as people gather for a protest caravan along the Las Vegas Strip hosted by conservative radio talk show host Wayne Allyn Root to demand the reopening of the Nevada economy, hit hard by coronavirus-related closures, on April 24, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Root broadcast his show from his car during the protest, which comes after Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman made controversial comments arguing against Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak's stay-at-home order and closure of nonessential businesses to help combat the spread of the coronavirus. Sisolak said there needs to be a 14-day decline in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations along with expanded testing and tracing capacity before the state can enter phase one of reopening. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
3. Black Lives Matter protests
STONE MOUNTAIN, GA - JUNE 16: Michelle Sheffield carries a "Get Your Knee Off Our Necks" sign during a Black Lives Matter march in Stone Mountain Park to the side of the mountain with a Confederate carving on June 16, 2020 in Stone Mountain, Georgia. The march is to protest confederate monuments and recent police shootings. Stone Mountain Park features a Confederate Memorial carving depicting Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee, President Jefferson Davis. (Photo by Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)
4. Re-open protests
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - APRIL 25: Protesters gather outside the Louisiana state capitol during a rally against Louisiana's stay-at-home order and economic shutdown on April 25, 2020 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Governor John Bell Edwards has said Louisiana’s high rate of COVID-19 infections and deaths does not position the state to quickly open back up. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
5. Black Lives Matter protests
DENVER, CO - MAY 30: Jevon Sutton yells, "I can't breathe," while joining thousands of people as they stage a die-in next to the Colorado State Capitol with their hands behind their backs to protest the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. The city of Denver has enacted a curfew starting Saturday night and Governor Jared Polis has called in the Colorado National Guard after two nights of protests wreaked havoc across the city. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
6. Re-open protests
LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 17: The Boogaloo Boys hold a rally at the Capitol Building on October 17, 2020 in Lansing, Michigan. The Boogaloo boys called it a Unity Rally in an attempt to distance themselves from the Wolverine Watchmen who plotted to kidnap Michigans Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Two of the men arrested in the plot were affiliated with the Boogaloo Boys. (Photo by Seth Herald/Getty Images)
7. Black Lives Matter protests
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 15: Demonstrators gather along West Florissant Avenue to protest the shooting of Michael Brown on August 15, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown was shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer on August 9. Tonight's demonstration again ended with protestors clashing with police followed by more looting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
8. Re-open protests
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - APRIL 25: Protesters gather outside the Governor's Mansion during a rally against Louisiana's stay-at-home order and economic shutdown on April 25, 2020 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Governor John Bell Edwards has said Louisiana’s high rate of COVID-19 infections and deaths does not position the state to quickly open back up. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
9. Black Lives Matter protests
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 01: A protester marches with a placard stating "MY SKIN IS NOT A WEAPON" in the aftermath of widespread unrest following the death of George Floyd on June 1, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Demonstrations have erupted all across the country in response Floyd's death in Minneapolis, Minnesota while in police custody a week ago. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)
10. Re-open protests
HARRISBURG, PA - MAY 15: A demonstrator holds a placard stating "FREE MY HAIR" while allying outside the Pennsylvania Capitol Building to protest the continued closure of businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic on May 15, 2020 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has introduced a color tiered strategy to reopen the state with most areas not easing restrictions until June 4. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)
11. Black Lives Matter protests
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 01: A protester wears body paint on her hands stating "HANDS UP" "DON'T SHOOT" during a march through Center City on June 1, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Demonstrations have erupted all across the country in response to George Floyd's death in Minneapolis, Minnesota while in police custody a week ago. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)
12. Re-open protests
HARRISBURG, PA - MAY 15: A man with an assault rifle reacts while joining demonstrators outside the Pennsylvania Capitol Building to protest the continued closure of businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic on May 15, 2020 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has introduced a color tiered strategy to reopen the state with most areas not easing restrictions until June 4. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)
13. People mourning after Kyle Rittenhouse shot and killed two Black Lives Matter protesters
KENOSHA, WI - AUGUST 26: A man speaks at a site where a demonstrator was killed on August 26, 2020 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. On August 25, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse shot and killed two demonstrators. As the city declared a state of emergency curfew, a fourth night of civil unrest occurred after the shooting of Jacob Blake, 29, on August 23. Video shot of the incident appears to show Blake shot multiple times in the back by Wisconsin police officers while attempting to enter the drivers side of a vehicle. The 29-year-old Blake was undergoing surgery for a severed spinal cord, shattered vertebrae and severe damage to organs, according to the family attorneys in published accounts. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
14. 'Free Kyle Rittenhouse protest'
BEMIDJI, MN - SEPTEMBER 18: A man wears a shirt that says "Free Kyle", referencing Kyle Rittenhouse, during a rally for President Donald Trump at the Bemidji Regional Airport on September 18, 2020 in Bemidji, Minnesota. Trump and challenger, Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden, are both campaigning in Minnesota today. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
15. Black Lives Matter protests
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 17 : A woman has her face doused with milk after being tear gassed by police as she was protesting the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown by police August 17, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Despite the Brown family's continued call for peaceful demonstrations, violent protests have erupted nearly every night in Ferguson since his death.. (Photo by Joshua Lott/Getty Images)
16. Capitol Hill Insurrection
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 6: A protester dressed as George Washington debates with a Capitol Police before being pushed out. Supporters of US President Donald Trump protested inside the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. - Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images)
17. Black Lives Matter protests
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 27: Demonstrators march to support Black Lives Matter during the Black Mamas March a protest against police brutality and racial inequality in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd on June 27, 2020 in Washington, DC. Demonstrators took part to voice their support for racial equality and to honour the memory of George Floyd, whose death at the hands of police in Minneapolis sparked protests worldwide. (Photo by Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images)
18. Capitol Hill Insurrection
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Pro-Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol following a rally with President Donald Trump on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Trump supporters gathered in the nation's capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
19. Black Lives Matter protests
NEW YORK CITY - SEPTEMBER 23: Members of Black Lives Matters (BLM) are joined by hundreds of others during an evening protest against the Kentucky grand jury decision in the Breonna Taylor case outside of the Barclays Center on September 23, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the country, protesters have taken to the streets after the grand jury’s decision to only charge one Louisville Metro Police officer in the raid in which Taylor was killed. Officer Brett Hankison, who was fired in June, was charged three counts of wanton endangerment for shooting into neighboring apartments. Bond was set at $15,000 for Hankison. Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency medical technician, was killed in her home during a no-knock raid on March 13, 2020. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
20. Re-open protests
HARRISBURG, PA - MAY 15: A demonstrator holds a placard with a face mask stating "THE NEW SYMBOL OF TYRANNY MUZZLE" rallying outside the Pennsylvania Capitol Building to protest the continued closure of businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic on May 15, 2020 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has introduced a color tiered strategy to reopen the state with most areas not easing restrictions until June 4. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)
21. Black Lives Matter protests
EDINBURGH - JUNE 07: A woman holds a placard during a Black Lives Matter protest in Holyrood Park, despite a call by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and others to find other forms of protest because of lockdown rules and coronavirus fears on June 7, 2020 in Edinburgh. The death of an African-American man, George Floyd, while in the custody of Minneapolis police has sparked protests across the United States, as well as demonstrations of solidarity in many countries around the world. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
22. Re-open protests
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 24: Ty Romsa of Nevada holds a sign as people gather for a protest caravan along the Las Vegas Strip hosted by conservative radio talk show host Wayne Allyn Root to demand the reopening of the Nevada economy, hit hard by coronavirus-related closures, on April 24, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Root broadcast his show from his car during the protest, which comes after Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman made controversial comments arguing against Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak's stay-at-home order and closure of nonessential businesses to help combat the spread of the coronavirus. Sisolak said there needs to be a 14-day decline in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations along with expanded testing and tracing capacity before the state can enter phase one of reopening. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
23. Black Lives Matter protests
NEW YORK CITY - SEPTEMBER 23: Members of Black Lives Matters (BLM) are joined by hundreds of others during an evening protest against the Kentucky grand jury decision in the Breonna Taylor case outside of the Barclays Center on September 23, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the country, protesters have taken to the streets after the grand jury’s decision to only charge one Louisville Metro Police officer in the raid in which Taylor was killed. Officer Brett Hankison, who was fired in June, was charged three counts of wanton endangerment for shooting into neighboring apartments. Bond was set at $15,000 for Hankison. Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency medical technician, was killed in her home during a no-knock raid on March 13, 2020. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
24. Capitol Hill Insurrection
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: A pro-Trump protester carries the lectern of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi through the Roturnda of the U.S. Capitol Building after a pro-Trump mob stormed the building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
25. Black Lives Matter protests
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 21: Vigil attendee holds a sign advocating to protect Black girls in Columbus, Ohio on April 21, 2021. The vigil was for MaKhia Bryant, 16, who was shot and killed by Columbus Police on April 20, 2021.The vigil was attended by activists and friends and family of MaKhia. (Photo by Stephen Zenner/Getty Images)
Re-open protests
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: A placard that says " Masks are child abuse" during a "Unite For Freedom" anti-lockdown demonstration held to protest against the use of vaccine passports in the United Kingdom, on April 24, 2021 in London, England. The proposed vaccine passports would enable members of the public to prove that they have received a COVID-19 vaccination, which many argue will allow major events to take place. Opposers of the scheme fear that the passports will result in discrimination against those who have not been vaccinated. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)
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