George Floyd-The Martyr

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Like many Americans and people world wide, I have heard of George Floyd and the tragic way in which he died. I didn’t watch the video, I couldn’t. There is no way I could sit and watch someone die in real life. I’m not even able to watch a horror movie.

There were/are so many thoughts running through my mind. But most of them are sorrow filled. Like most of America I am grieving. How can you kneel on someone’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds with your hands in your pocket so callously. How could his fellow officers stand there and not intervene? Why didn’t someone just stop him!! Why didn’t he stop when he heard George begging for his life and repeating the ominous phrase that Black people in American identify with death by police officers. I CAN’T BREATHE!!!

As a person, the minute I hear someone say they can’t breathe I become concerned. The only thought that comes to mind is “ how can I help?”

Police officers have a duty to serve and protect. But who are they serving? Themselves? White people? Because Black people aren’t being served or protected by anyone. The very officers that took an oath to serve and protect all Americans in their jurisdiction, are the same ones killing us. Who will serve and protect us? George Floyd was a man who made mistakes like most of us in life. But he didn’t deserve to die.

Dave Chappelle in his most recent NetFlix special “8:46,” mentioned someone argued that a man with such a past should not be portrayed as a martyr. His reply,“ we didn’t choose him, you did. They killed him and that wasn’t right. So he’s the guy.” George Floyd does not deserve to be a martyr, he deserves to be alive.