ITEM DETAILS
photograph
George Floyd death
Social Studies
Black Live Matter
On May 25th, 2020, George Floyd, a black man, was brutally assaulted and killed by a Minneapolis police officer. The officer’s three partners assisted in the killing. George Floyd died after being handcuffed and laying on the street in the custody of the Minneapolis police. Floyd’s murderer, Officer Chauvin, pressed his knee against the victim’s neck for almost nine minutes, making it impossible for him to breathe. According to the official coroner’s report, Floyd died from asphyxiation. This incident has precipitated numerous worldwide protests. People around the globe are tired of the injustices that are happening in the United States, particularly to African-Americans. Police departments need to realize that their job is to arrest suspects and deliver them to where justice will be provided, not act as the carriers of justice.
Police brutality in America needs to stop now. Every year there are numerous incidents where black people are killed for no reason other than their skin color. The death of George Floyd got me upset and angry at the same time. As a person of color, I am subject to similar treatment. Once I step outside, I never know what will happen to me. Many people are sick of police mistreating members of the black community. It seems that every time an officer kills a black person, they are not being charged with a crime. As a result, the whole world stood up for justice in response to what is happening right now. The police need to realize that this is no longer the 1990’s. We now live in the new millennium and some people need to become more educated. We need to emphasize the point to others that no one was ever born racist. As young women, we can rise and be the impetus for change. We must all work together, looking beyond someone’s skin color or background.
For the last several days I have been truly speechless. I do not know what to say or write. I am angry, heartbroken, upset, and disgusted. What happened to George Floyd was inhumane and unjust. However, this is not something new to America. In this country every year black people are being mistreated by the police, government officials, and sometimes their neighbors. Many people are now sick and tired of hearing and witnessing these injustices. The protests happening right now are humanity's cries for justice. People want to live a life without racism, as they do not deserve to die simply because of the color of their skin. If we all are human beings, then we all deserve to be treated with an equal amount of respect. Our skin color is inconsequential, as the blood flowing through all of our veins is red.
The George Floyd murder allows the world to stand together in unison against the face of injustice. At the same time, protesters must distance themselves from the actions of opportunist looters. These are the individuals who are not protesting but instead break into stores to steal the merchandise. I feel truly disgusted by how some people can act this way, given the fact that someone died for no reason. Last week in the Bronx the Fordham Road district was looted. This got me disappointed and angry at the same time. The real protesters want justice for George Floyd and the end of racism that people of color are facing in America. The looters were never protestors. These people are taking advantage of the protests, which I find utterly disgusting. What makes this behavior even more egregious, is that the current pandemic has already shut down the businesses of small shopkeepers. These people are now out of work and struggling to meet their living expenses. Given this situation, how can anyone fathom destroying and stealing the property of their low-income neighbors? Furthermore, some other individuals are dealing with their “white guilt” by justifying such behavior based on the looters’ economic disadvantage. I am not sure what is worse, the criminal behavior of looters, or its justification by guilty white people.
In conclusion, Mahatma Gandhi once said, “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” Let us follow Gandhi’s advice and adopt his nonviolent position. As we stand together in solidarity, we are bound to become the change. Now is not the time to be silent; it is the time to speak up and fight against injustice. Together we can use George Floyd’s memory to bring lasting peace to this world.
Police brutality in America needs to stop now. Every year there are numerous incidents where black people are killed for no reason other than their skin color. The death of George Floyd got me upset and angry at the same time. As a person of color, I am subject to similar treatment. Once I step outside, I never know what will happen to me. Many people are sick of police mistreating members of the black community. It seems that every time an officer kills a black person, they are not being charged with a crime. As a result, the whole world stood up for justice in response to what is happening right now. The police need to realize that this is no longer the 1990’s. We now live in the new millennium and some people need to become more educated. We need to emphasize the point to others that no one was ever born racist. As young women, we can rise and be the impetus for change. We must all work together, looking beyond someone’s skin color or background.
For the last several days I have been truly speechless. I do not know what to say or write. I am angry, heartbroken, upset, and disgusted. What happened to George Floyd was inhumane and unjust. However, this is not something new to America. In this country every year black people are being mistreated by the police, government officials, and sometimes their neighbors. Many people are now sick and tired of hearing and witnessing these injustices. The protests happening right now are humanity's cries for justice. People want to live a life without racism, as they do not deserve to die simply because of the color of their skin. If we all are human beings, then we all deserve to be treated with an equal amount of respect. Our skin color is inconsequential, as the blood flowing through all of our veins is red.
The George Floyd murder allows the world to stand together in unison against the face of injustice. At the same time, protesters must distance themselves from the actions of opportunist looters. These are the individuals who are not protesting but instead break into stores to steal the merchandise. I feel truly disgusted by how some people can act this way, given the fact that someone died for no reason. Last week in the Bronx the Fordham Road district was looted. This got me disappointed and angry at the same time. The real protesters want justice for George Floyd and the end of racism that people of color are facing in America. The looters were never protestors. These people are taking advantage of the protests, which I find utterly disgusting. What makes this behavior even more egregious, is that the current pandemic has already shut down the businesses of small shopkeepers. These people are now out of work and struggling to meet their living expenses. Given this situation, how can anyone fathom destroying and stealing the property of their low-income neighbors? Furthermore, some other individuals are dealing with their “white guilt” by justifying such behavior based on the looters’ economic disadvantage. I am not sure what is worse, the criminal behavior of looters, or its justification by guilty white people.
In conclusion, Mahatma Gandhi once said, “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” Let us follow Gandhi’s advice and adopt his nonviolent position. As we stand together in solidarity, we are bound to become the change. Now is not the time to be silent; it is the time to speak up and fight against injustice. Together we can use George Floyd’s memory to bring lasting peace to this world.
Bronx
06/05/2020
Ilyasu Jalloh
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