"I Can't Breathe." - George Floyd

As I type this, there are currently riots happening in Minneapolis, Minnesota to protest the murder of George Floyd. His murder has created an overall feeling of forlorn and discomfort, a feeling of irritation and anger, across the nation. However these feelings are nothing new to Black people living in America. Another "Say His Name!". Another "No Justice, No Peace!". Another Black person killed by the hands of our fellow police officers. Another day knowing that these police officers might not even be charged because of their uniform and badge.

I refuse to put such a disgusting and triggering video. We all witnessed an officer putting his knee on another man's neck and putting more and more force as he asks "What do you want?". We all witnessed him pleading for him to get off his neck. We all witnessed him saying "I can't breathe!". We all witnessed a man die under the knee of this officer who CLEARLY felt the power and control seeping through his veins. And yet we all felt numb. We have come to the point where we have become desensitized to such content, to where this is becoming our new normal and that itself is sad and traumatizing.

We cannot and will not turn a blind eye to the racism and discrimination done by the police, both physically and systemically. It has come down to where we have created the term "police brutality" for when officers exert inhumane and eradicating force, but it should not be used in cases like these. This only lessens the impact of what happens. Ex-Officer Derek Chauvin, who has had a dozen of police conduct complaints prior to this incident, did not just simply "brutalize" George Floyd, he MURDERED him. Ex-Officers Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng allowed their partner murder a man. They are complicit to the murder of George Floyd.

The Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis stated that "Now is not the time rush to (judgment) and immediately condemn our officers. Officers' actions and training protocol will be carefully examined after the officers have provided their statements." I understand statements must be said and an investigation must be done, but what else is there to be said? They deserve to be condemned for their wrongful doings. Their actions and protocol were excessive and immoral and resulted in a death. And unfortunately it seems, the only way these deaths could be avoided if the color of our skin is lighter.

Being Black in America is dangerous. Every day we are reminded of this. And until the system that profits off our struggle and oppression is dismantled, we will, sadly, continue being reminded.

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George Floyd's Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd