George Floyd Part One

You would literally have to be living under a rock to not know George Floyd was murdered by police in Minneapolis. I believe America as a whole was mad as hell! There were calls for justice followed by rioting then looting across the major cities in America.

So the next thing you do is watch the news and one of the first talking points is systemic oppression. So let’s get a definition. Oppression that occurs at the institutional level, such as in government policy-making, within educational institutions and the throughout the health care system. While one-on-one experiences of discrimination might stand out more in our minds, systemic oppression is even farther-reaching because it is coded right into the institutions we depend on to survive.

For days while cities burned and people died all I kept hearing was we need to stop racism. Police brutality needs to stop. I am mad and angry. People need to listen. Systemic racism needs to stop. The news turns to the celebrity view. Doc Rivers, ” we need to ask the hard questions.” White coaches and players from the NFL, this needs to stop and I support the protests. Dale Earnhardt Jr., ” I learned some things and this needs to stop.” LeBron James, “We are being hunted everyday!” Drew Brees was asked about the standing for the flag. He hoped people would stand to respect the flag. The responses, Malcolm Jenkins, “F**k you Drew!” Marquis Colston, “You don’t get it bro!” In the case of Malcolm Jenkins his first response was taken down and replaced.

Eventually the officer that was kneeling on Mr. Floyd’s neck was arrested. As the looting and rioting continued the America that was united under the unnecessary death of George Floyd turned to horror at the destruction and not understanding, WHY! Congress members were at home over fears of the Corona Virus. The only voice from the government, from my perspective was President Trump.

Here is my take. As soon as all of this craziness started all I kept hearing was talking points. Everyday the same talking points regurgitated by anchors and celebrities alike, no answers, no solutions, talking points!! Most of us had not heard of systemic racism until this started. The one and only person I came across that had any sort of help to the issues we face was Stephen A. Smith. Maybe we should have a national police czar to oversee the police departments. Nobody else shared experiences to help the rest of us understand. My wife and I work in part of what is considered not a nice area of Cincinnati. We don’t see the racism. We are not naive enough to say it does not happen, there are assholes everywhere! We get along with everyone, they are happy to see us and we are happy to see them.