We’re all aware of the abhorrent murder crime where George Floyd was murdered in Minnesota by a policeman. What I didn't expect was the impact it would have on the world. It’s not the first time a black man has been a victim of police brutality. Why has this specific case exploded when others haven’t. In a way, it was the horrible wake up call we needed. Most of us had been so desensitized to police brutality against young black men. It’s shameful.
The truth about police brutality
There have been multiple cases of unarmed black men being murdered. In the past month, Ahmaud Arbery was murdered while on a run in a hate crime. I know his killers weren’t cops but that shouldn’t dilute the fact that it was a hate crime. So why has George Floyds’ death created such an uprising similar to the previous race riots? Many are saying its due to the symbolism of the video circulating showing the policeman on George’s neck. The fact that his stance is so similar to Colin Kaepernick’s stance when he took a knee against police brutality during the national anthem. The fact that you can hear his last words “ I can’t breath” and knowing that the 4 policemen knew he was in a fatal position and continued, as the executioner making the choice the George’s life is over. The video made it very real and personal. The fact that it was over an alleged counterfeit $20 note. It showed us how fragile life could be. It’s oddly reminiscent of the crimes by the SS in Nazi-occupied Poland where the SS would kill a man for no reason, not in 21st century America.
Blue Lives Matter
Yes, they do. The majority of people are not trying to vilify the police they are an integral part of our community. We all should be grateful for the sacrifices they make for us everyday, keeping us safe. Oddly, certain sects of society start appreciating the police a lot more after a black man is murdered by a policeman. There also has to be an acknowledgement of cases of institutionalised racism in our government institutes. However, there is something fundamentally wrong with people using it as an opponent to the Black Lives Matter movement. Then there’s the All Lives Movement the issue with that is while it apparently promotes racial equality it ignores two key issues, the privilege of certain races over others and the bias against specific races,. Joyner Lucas said it best in his song I’m not racist.
“Screaming “All Lives Matter”
Is a protest to my protest, what kind of shit is that?”
The reality of riots
Everyone has the right to peaceful protests. That’s what the majority of people wanted. All over the country, many peaceful protests were hijacked by violent rioters. The issue with riots is that it forces the deployment of violent police measures. It defeats the main purpose of the protest which is to bring awareness to the racial bigotry still prevalent in modern society. It shifts the focus to the violence and damage caused by riot and how authorities have done a good job to stop the evil rioters. The people who are worst affected by the riots are the business owners and property owners whose property and businesses are being vandalized. The London riots of 2011 which were also triggered by police brutality cost taxpayers over $200 million. That’s right the taxpayers not the police or the guilty parties the taxpayers, people like you and me. I believe it dilutes the true message behind the protests.
What’s next
We can’t forget, we just can’t. This terrible loss has got us starting to talk about uncomfortable topics.The discourse sparked by this tragedy must continue. We need to feel comfortable being angry and upset with this. I personally feel no one has to justify their anger, you can be white and outraged don’t let anyone take that away from you. At the same time if you’re not black you’ll never be able to fully understand what the black community goes through. These were just my opinions, I would love to hear your opinions on the matter.
