It’s taken me awhile to actually write this post... because..... I wanted to make sure that from an emotional writing, it was my thoughts and not my anger that eventually, showed through the words. By now, everyone knows the name, George Floyd. If not, they have been living under a rock. Floyd, an African American man was arrested, detained and held on a sidewalk... handcuffed face down... with a Caucasian police office kneeling, placing his left knee between the mans neck and head, with pressure to his back. There were 3 other police officers witnessing this scene along with bystanders. The police officer.... held this man in this position for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Now... does it seem longer?
What matters... is he was arrested, in handcuffs, lying face down... and already in custody. What MATTERS is during this 8 minutes and 46 seconds, George Floyd repeatedly stated “I cant breathe” . During this 8 minutes, 46 seconds.... Floyd, repeated stated, “please” and he couldn’t breathe. It was apparent from all videos, the man was in distress. George Floyd, called out for his mother. George Floyd had bystanders stating he was in distress to the officers... with their response being, he’s fine.
George Floyd became non-responsive about 6 plus minutes into this stance, and bystanders again, urging the officers to check his pulse. One of the officers, checked and could not find one. 8 minutes and 46 seconds later, the arresting officer removed his knee from Floyds neck. Floyd was motionless. He was rolled onto a gurney and taken by ambulance. George Floyd was pronounced dead about an hour later.
In the aftermath of George Floyds death, protests around the country ignited for police brutality against African Americans. The first protest held in Minneapolis, where the incident took place, took a turn for the worse, as a peaceful protest quickly turned into a riot, with the streets of Minneapolis being vandalized and police cars and the actual police station poetically decorated with graffiti - all for George Floyd. (Or was it.....)
It seems in the days that have passed since George Floyds death, some progress on this conversation regarding the treatment of ‘African /Americans could have been another opportunity to bridge the gap and to help find solutions.... instead, the days and terror filled nights have many disturbed that there is political trickery involved... with activists and Antifa riots being held in major cities across this country and being destroyed .... all in the name of George Floyd. The memory of George Floyd and his final 8 minutes and 46 seconds are being lost in the message because of these rioters.
Floyds family have called out for peace. Many of the peaceful protesters have taken a stand against these rioters... but the end result is .... many of our cities have been destroyed and are having to be put back together piece by piece. Now... all across America.... statues are being vandalized. History, seemingly erased... and the conversation.... seems to get lost because the focus is not where it needs to be.
8 minutes, 46 seconds. Think about setting a timer.... and having a conversation about race.... with someone everyday for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. What could you say? What would you say? The reality is... until we all look within ourselves....and realize that as human beings.... we all need to do better. ... nothing will change. Recently, a friend of mine posted this... and it really hit home. A child made the statement.... “if we dont care about the color of someone’s eyes, why should be care about the color of their skin?”. The innocence of a child....who has nothing in their heart, but what they are taught will grow up to love one another, regardless of the color of someone’s skin.
8 minutes, 46 seconds. A conversation about race. About inclusion. About diversity. Not sure its enough time..... you’re right, its not... but, its a beginning, its a start and it would serve the tragedy of Floyds death, far better than rioting, looting and tearing down Americas cities.
There have been many calls to defund the police. Get rid of the police. Think about that for a moment. Simply take a moment... and think what would happen to our country, if there were NO police. As a society, it seems easy to judge a whole category based on the actions of 1. But, its wrong. NOT all police are bad.
There are those who would argue that law enforcement treat those of skin color differently. I am not a police officer, nor am I black... so honestly, I do not know, but the conversations that I have had with my black friends.... is one that is alarming. I am a worrier, by nature. I worry about everything. My kids are grown adults and I still worry about them. I worry about my grandson... but as I thought about the things I worry about... it hit me, that as an African American, they are worrying about things...that we take for granted. Simply, walking out the door...
I did look up deaths... and there were 19 white deaths and 9 african american in the last year from police. So... why the outrage... why the conversation. Martin Luther King, Jr. Was a great man and brought forth major change when it came to the African American community. His words resonated and he brought unity of communities. Racial division has long been part of the history of this great country. Right or wrong, it was there in the past and tireless hours and been given to bring forth great change. You would think in this day and time.... we would not be having these conversations. But... the stark truth is.... racism still exists in this country. It exists in individuals. It exists in hearts. The way to create change is through conversations followed with actions that matter. Not riots. Not destroying our cities and communities. So.... every day.... for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.... have a conversation with someone on how, together, we can all work to treat one another equally. Set your timer.... you may find, its the most productive time you’ve spent in a while. For those that want a better tomorrow and to really bring forth change..... it doesnt happen overnight.... and we cannot erase history.... nor should we.... we should learn from history and realize that without it, we would not be here.... but, just because it is history, doesnt mean we have to repeat it.
8 minutes and 46 seconds. Yes... it mattered then and it matters now.
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