The tragic death of George Floyd has been followed by another tragedy. There is no other way to describe the events that began the week of May 25, 2020.
Suspect to Victim to Symbol
From initial accounts, on the afternoon of May 25th 2020, Minneapolis Police were called to a possible forgery in progress at the 3800 block of Chicago Ave. When police arrived, they confronted George Floyd. The details of what happened from that point, to where George Floyd ended up on the ground with officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Mr. Floyd’s neck, is under investigation.
A bystander recorded the event. The video has gone viral. In it, Mr. Floyd is heard saying he can’t breathe and is asking to be let up. For 8 minutes, he repeats his plea. Nothing.
Eventually, he loses consciousness. Millions believe, this is when he died – tragically at the hands of police officers, officers who were sworn to protect and serve.
Immediate anger came from witnesses who were now gathered around the commotion. Three other officers were with Derek Chauvin when Mr. Floyd was apprehended. Not one of the three interceded in making sure that Mr. Floyd’s immediate well-being was secure.
By that evening, there was a consensus around the nation that what happened to Mr. Floyd wasn’t just wrong. It was outrageous! Criminal! People were angry and wanted justice to be served and served quickly. This is where people parted ways.
The Offspring Emerges
As of the writing of this post, three straight days of rioting and looting occurred. Overshadowed in all this, is the rightful, lawful and genuine protest to an injustice that was clear to millions. What followed was just as angering and enraging to many who had absolutely nothing to do with Mr. Floyd’s death. Why were they enraged? For some, their property and livelihoods were looted and destroyed. For others they saw the rioting and lawlessness equally appalling as the death of Mr. Floyd.
What Next
Historically, after a riot, communities are extremely slow in getting back to normal. Businesses and other institutions leave, some never to come back. Even when a “come to the table” call is made and done, flight from the community is inevitable, because distrust is fresh. Grievances are fresh. Law enforcement, even when there are bad apples, is still needed to keep cohesiveness in the community. But when they fail, they not only fail in that immediate sense, they fail in providing what a community needs to endure – security. Security breeds hope.
The irony lost on the rioters is that they destroyed the very community they said they were fighting for. Sometimes it takes a new generation. A generation unaware and unaffected of the Tragedy that begat a Tragedy.
Grateful Immigrant 