Woo boy, it’s been a week. Yesterday’s post dug into Amy Cooper’s 911 call on Monday fabricating a threat from an African American man in Central Park. Watching her amp up those tears for the operator turned my stomach. Watching the swift reaction in news and social media restored a bit of my faith in humanity.
Except across the country in Minneapolis a black man named George Floyd was murdered by four policemen later that day.
Police officers received a call from a grocery store claiming Mr. Floyd had used a forged check. Somehow in the process of taking him into custody – again, for allegedly using a forged check – Mr. Floyd ended up handcuffed with his hands behind his back and pinned facedown to the pavement. Two officers held him down at his back and legs while former Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on the man’s neck. Mr. Floyd pleaded with them saying he couldn’t breathe, that his neck hurt, that his body hurt. He was pinned for more than six minutes until he went still and closed his eyes. The four involved officers were fired on Tuesday, but that’s a far cry from justice for what they did.
Just in case you’re not sure if skin color matters, if you’re thinking people make a big deal over a few bad apples, take a look at protests we’ve seen over the last month. Primarily white people have stormed streets and Capitol buildings. They’ve been armed, some dressed in combat gear, some have screamed right in police officers’ faces while the cops stood firm. But what happened on Tuesday when unarmed people gathered to protest at George Floyd’s arrest site? Riot gear, tear gas, and rubber bullets.
If you’re white and believe in equality you cannot sit quietly by in this America. You can’t simply fume at the injustice or retweet a few #BlackLivesMatter messages and move along. We’re either racist or actively anti-racist, and the lives of black people literally rest on your decision. Please visit this document for a list of anti-racism resources today.
Riddle from the Middle 
Watching the video of George Floyd’s murder, I was yelling and then crying, feeling overwhelmed by how this just seems to get worse. Then I stop and try to imagine how it would feel to be black or to have a black son, and my heart aches in a different way. I’m saying a prayer for you and your family’s strength, comfort, and safety. It’s got to get better.
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You write “We’re either racist or actively anti-racist, and the lives of black people literally rest on your decision.” I believe this to be true. I appreciate you sharing the anti-racists resources. I’ve been quiet not because I’m any less outraged but due to a lack of knowing what to do. Now I can be educated and take steps to become actively anti-racist. Hugs to your son. As a mom of two, I cannot even imagine your fears. Breaks my heart.
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Those former police officers should be arrested for murder. No question. The comparison to the bravery of Colin Kaepernick kneeling in protest makes me furious! Kaepernick risked a very lucrative job to stand up for justice. The cowardly policemen abusing their position of power is in stark contrast.
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It’s a powerful graphic, really impossible to miss the correlation between the two now. I cannot believe they called a press conference today but didn’t announce any charges would be brought — no wonder people feel like it’s being treated as just another death.
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In this day and age to have ignorance demonstrated in such disgusting ways is beyond reason. Those police officers belong in jail. Anything short of that is an outrage.
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Agreed. So do the people of that city. I hope they decide to move forward sooner rather than later with charges, I don’t think Minneapolis can take much more escalation in the riots.
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I think the riots are deplorable as well. Shows how fractured this nation really is at this time.
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Honestly, John, I can’t even say I disagree with the riots anymore. I feel badly for the people in that area — I understand they lost access to food sources and the community itself with be hurt by that, but MLK said that riot is the language of the unheard. People have been protesting police violence for years (decades?) and nothing changes.
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I can’t argue with how you feel for the people. Sad part is violence leads to more. I am hoping that public opinion remains centered on the criminals and not drift to the superflousness of stolen TVs and hams. When the national guard is called in lawbreakers put themselves at risk and then more bloodshed occurs. Pretty soon the precipitating event fades into the background which would be a tragedy.
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The more I see and hear, the sadder I become, and the less hope I have for the future.
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I just keep digging in. I have to hope things can get better for my kids.
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This was so tragic. And again, as you said, it’s nothing new. But people are noticing it more!
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Will Smith said “Racism is not getting worse, it’s getting filmed” and nothing has ever sounded truer to me.
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Yes, it true.
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It’s truly appalling what is happening. We have major problems here but things just seem to be escalating in your country. Where is your leader. I use that term in its loosest sense. Playing golf seems to be the answer.
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Yes, playing golf, but also he tends to lead in ways that make things worse not better. It’s hard to inspire people to be better when your racist ways keep the narrative of “good people on both sides” alive.
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with my biracial family, each event brings new fear and anger and sadness, for my children and grandchildren
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It’s impossible to describe how the stress of these has affected lately. Our son is almost old enough to get his license & I’m having a rough time here.
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I totally understand why.
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