Murder in High Definition Still Doesn’t Warrant Immediate Charges

George Floyd is dead and we were all witnesses to his murder. His final moments will serve as either direct or indirect trauma for many of us from now on. We watched for what seemed like an eternity as Floyd begged and pleaded with a Minneapolis police officer to let him breathe. 

While reports are that Floyd died upon being transported to the hospital, I believe we saw his life come to an end as he lay on that pavement with a knee to his neck.

I stared at the attached photo for about two hours Tuesday night. And then on Wednesday morning, I began reading the abundance of commentary on social media.

I cannot say that I’m surprised we’re here again. I won’t be surprised when police murder another unarmed black person this time next week. No, I’m not desensitized. I’m heartbroken. Again. But what I won’t do is call on white people to be vocal. I won’t beg the good cops to speak out against the bad cops.

I don’t have the energy to compare police responses to today’s Minneapolis protestors in wake of Floyd’s murder to that of the police response to white protesters not wanting to wear a mask during the pandemic.

None of it is fair, just as the overall treatment of black people has never been fair.

What makes this so criminal and so disgusting is the fact that Floyd was murdered in plain sight and in broad daylight – yet his killer has not been charged with any crime.

Bystanders begged Derek Chauvin to remove his knee from the dying man’s neck. Look at the picture again. Chauvin rested his knee on Floyd’s neck, with his hand comfortably in his pocket. He didn’t struggle with Floyd, as two other officers were in control of the already handcuffed man’s lower body.

Chauvin looked down at Floyd with such calmness in his demeanor. He watched him struggle to breathe with great pleasure. It was as if he’d caught the biggest bass in the ocean and couldn’t wait to take it home for the family. But George Floyd was no animal to be consumed by another being. Floyd was a human being and in his final moments, he was treated like less than an animal.

It does not matter why he was being arrested. His physique did not matter. His presentation did not matter. The company he kept did not matter. When the officers cuffed him, he obliged. There were four men in uniform, with a total of four guns. He appeared to comply. Again, regardless of what led to the arrest – Floyd complied. With three men atop him, three guns within inches of every vital organ – Floyd complied.

None of the documented incidents warranted a knee to the neck.

While Chauvin was enjoying the sights and sounds of a dying man, it was the duty of the other three officers to stop him. Not one of them attempted to help Floyd. They must all be charged with murder, yet 48 hours later – they’ve only lost their jobs.

Black people don't need more leaders. Black people don't need a spokesperson.

Black people don't need all black people on our side. Black people don't need all white people to prove that they aren't against black people. Black people don't need to be accepted. Black people don't need to be regarded as equals, because in more ways than a few – we’re better.

Black people simply deserve the basic and unalienable right to live and be as human beings. If our very presence makes you nervous - go sit in a corner and deal with that. Keep your knee off of our necks and you won't have to be offended by us taking a knee during your anthem.