The death of George Floyd was shocking to everyone. It was shocking how this case developed so aggressively. However, It was more shocking to see that these cases have happened many times before and officers still have not changed their way of approach to people, especially colored people. These instances of officers abusing their power have not only put fear, but also anger and frustration into all people. The way to create a proper change would require everyone to cooperate to stand up for equality.

George Floyd was a 46-year-old Black man who died on Monday, May 25, 2020. Floyd was from Houston, Texas, where he attended Yates High School as an athlete and graduated in 1993. Floyd was a close friend to former professional basketball player Stephen Jackson, whom Floyd had met while growing up in Texas. He was also a rapper associated with the hip-hop collective Screwed Up Click, and he freestyled under the alias of Big Floyd. Floyd lived in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, and had worked in Minneapolis as a restaurant security guard for five years. Recently, due to Minnesota’s stay-at-home order during the COVID-19 pandemic, Floyd lost his job. He was also a father. Floyd was a person in society just like anyone else; however, he died because of racism from others.

In 2020, we should be living in a time where racism and police brutality is nonexistent. Unfortunately, that is not the case, and it is mind-boggling to me that we still have to deal with something of this nature. As a 19-year-old black man, this situation only reinforces my fear for my safety as well as the safety of black people and more broadly, people of color. This situation could have happened to me or practically any black man or woman, and that is quite alarming to think about. Some of my friends have told me that they are scared to walk around the police now because they are afraid of what might happen to them, especially if they do not have the ability to record a potential situation like so many folks do nowadays, and rightfully so. This event reminded me of when my friend and I were racially profiled in a deli a few years ago. While that and the George Floyd incident share few similarities, the underlying tone is racism, and that is what the black community is sick of experiencing. This event has also reignited hate for the police, according to some of my friends and seemingly, the black community in general. Several protests that took place afterward have demonstrated several things from my perspective: unity among multiple races, a conviction for standing up for equality, and people who are tired of the familiar nature of “all talk, no action.” While words cannot express how happy I am that not only black people but also people from other races are joining us to fight for actual change in this country, I do not agree with most of the vandalism and looting that have arise. I am aware that most people are trying to make a statement, but they are not thinking about the person or people who have to deal with the vandalism or how it will affect their business. As a result of the protests, some of the grocery stores I frequent have been boarded up, such as Target and Trader Joe’s, and they were temporarily closed for a while until things settled down. When they opened back up, I had to endure long lines yet again, which is annoying to say the least. The grocery store I work at, Whole Foods also had to cut back hours temporarily and even have us leave early because the protesting got so violent at one point. Things have settled down recently, but it is clear that the black community is fed up, and I hope that we do not lose sight of our objective: equality and accountability.

——By: Kadene Harvey