This piece was written by a friend, Mercy Akongo and I sought permission to share because it encapsulates the reactions of millions who were able watch the video of George Floyd getting arrested and murdered by some Minnesota Police officers.
“Am I distressed? It is an understatement.
One thing I regret is watching the murder of George Floyd unfold from start to finish. I wish I just didn’t watch it.
I didn’t know distress can cause both physical and mental pain until this day as I watched life squeezed out of Floyd. I couldn’t sleep last night, I have struggled to concentrate on anything today and had to take time off work. How do we stop this? The black people are tired, I am tired and angry!!
I understand that It might be very hard for my white sisters and brothers to understand how I feel as a black person and the effects of these events on our lives; I don’t blame you. It must be extremely hard to comprehend what you haven’t experienced.
As the black community weeps for their sons and daughters murdered by sadists on a daily basis, don’t stand and watch; then look away.
While I cry out in distress, call out against the evils towards black people; it might make you uncomfortable and you might hate me for that. Forgive me, but I can only imagine how hard it must be for you!
Remember, when you see, hear and do nothing; you promote a system that is killing me; a system that set free the men that squeezed life out of Floyd in broad daylight and a system that will kneel on my neck and squeeze life out of me. I am George Floyd.
All I ask is for you to be human, human enough to stand up against injustices against black people in your community. It will mean a lot!
If this message makes you uncomfortable, then we have nothing in common. I belong to the human race, a decent human race.
A shout out to my white friends who always stand up and speak up, thank you🙏🙏.
#BlackAmerica
#ICantBreathe
#GeorgeFloyd
#RememberHisName ”
