2010

Michelle Alexander published 'The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness,' arguing that the U.S. criminal justice system functions as a contemporary racial caste system. The book became a transformative text in civil rights discourse, selling over a million copies and reshaping conversations about race, punishment, and systemic racism in mainstream and activist circles alike.

Aiyana Stanley-Jones, 7, was shot and killed by Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley during a no-knock raid on the wrong apartment on the east side of Detroit. Aiyana was asleep on a couch. A film crew for the A&E show 'The First 48' was present. Weekley faced two trials; both ended in mistrials and charges were ultimately dropped. No one was ever convicted.

President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, the most sweeping health care reform since Medicare and Medicaid. The law had disproportionate positive effects for Black Americans, who had among the highest uninsured rates. The Black uninsured rate fell from approximately 20 percent to 11 percent in states that expanded Medicaid, representing millions gaining coverage.

Johannes Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the killing of Oscar Grant — the first California police officer convicted for an on-duty shooting in decades. He was sentenced to two years, with credit for time served, and released after 11 months. The verdict triggered protests in Oakland. Grant's family received a $1.5 million settlement from BART.

On July 8, 2010, BART officer Johannes Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the New Year's Day 2009 killing of Oscar Grant, 22, who was shot in the back while lying face-down, handcuffed, on the Fruitvale BART platform in Oakland. The killing was filmed by multiple bystanders. Mehserle claimed he confused his gun for a Taser. He was sentenced to 2 years and served 11 months. It was the first time a California law enforcement officer was convicted for an on-duty shooting. Grant's story was depicted in the 2013 film Fruitvale Station. His death is considered a precursor to the BLM movement.

President Obama signed the Fair Sentencing Act, reducing the sentencing disparity between crack cocaine (associated with Black defendants) and powder cocaine (associated with white defendants) from 100:1 to 18:1. Civil rights groups had sought full parity; the compromise was seen as partial progress. The Act was retroactively applied through the First Step Act of 2018.

President Obama signed the Fair Sentencing Act, reducing the sentencing disparity between crack cocaine, associated with Black defendants, and powder cocaine, associated with white defendants, from 100:1 to 18:1. Civil rights groups had sought full parity. The Act was retroactively applied through the First Step Act of 2018.