George Floyd Blog part 1

This picture makes me so sad, on so many levels.

This, #PROUD.

His name was George Floyd.

He was a black man killed by a white man.

This is his headline. And it’s tragic.

Who was George as a person?

I searched. I wanted to know more about HIM.

What kind of life did he lead? What was he most passionate about? What did he love to do in his free time? What did he believe in? What were his favourite foods? What did he do for a living? What were his favourite sports? Was he married? Did he have kids?

George deserves to be known and remembered for the MAN that he was.

He’s not just another guy, victim, or story.

So I dug.

Evidently, the media would share their opinion of him:

George was a black man. A man of God; An armed robber. A friendly giant; A fraudster. A Church goer; An inmate. A good friend and father; A criminal. A recovered Addict; An Addict. A star athlete and sports lover; A home invader. A good man.

After a whole lot of researching, I found very little reference to George as a HUMAN BEING. However, with the help of some time, I was able to get to know George in a way that he deserved.

George was a Dad. He stood 6’ 6” in height. He grew up in Texas, attended Yates High School, and was a star tight end on the football team. He played in the 1992 state championship. He was a man of God, a churchgoer. George was strong in his faith, and dedicated to his community. He helped to organize basketball charity events, and Bible study sessions. George was described by his former employer as always cheerful. He had a good attitude. He would dance badly to make people laugh and loved Latin music. He enjoyed Tajin, a Mexican spice. His co-workers and his friends loved him.

George was let go from his job during the pandemic and in these troubled times, he allegedly tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill at a Minneapolis grocery store before police were called.

That would be the end for George. One bad decision. Game over.

Or is it?

As legacy would have it, George will live on.

He was a man who, even after having lived through a troubled past, was looking to start over. He wanted a new beginning; something everyone is deserving of.

He wouldn’t allow poor decisions of days gone by to prevent him from trying to give his life as a contributing member of society “another go”. They wouldn’t define him or get in the way of him turning his life around. George found God. God wouldn’t see him as just another black man. George was a son; A brother; A father. George was a HUMAN BEING.

Like many, George’s life had its highs and lows. He made many very good decisions and he also made very bad ones; an example of human nature at its finest.

I didn’t know George personally, but I’ve learned a lot about him over this past week. I’ve read testimonials from his community and met his family (online).

I also watched him take his final breath.

I can’t tell you what this has done to me. There are no words. There are no excuses.

Thankfully, my disgust for yet another life taken unnecessarily was coupled with some relief. I found examples of bravery, hope and community.

Yes, George’s life mattered. It still does.

I thought about what George would want to see happen after his life was taken. Many would seek revenge: an eye for an eye. I don’t believe that George would want this. This God- loving, church- going, gentle giant who loved people and community would shake his head at that. Anyone of faith knows better.

The day George decided to turn his life around was the day that he would be forever remembered as a man of Integrity. Starting over takes strength. It is honourable. It was George’s badge of honour. It’s in this way that he should be remembered.

We all have choices in life. We screw up. We learn. We try again. Most of us make better decisions as we grow in our awareness. We come to this planet with the hand we were dealt and we must play with it in the best way that we know how. What more can we do?

George learned. He was still learning. He was rising.

I was privileged enough to learn about the life of someone new over the past few days. George Floyd, it was a pleasure to meet you.

After my research and purposely getting to know George Floyd, I am bewildered by what is transpiring as a result of his death.

Why are some of George’s Bothers and Sisters choosing to taint his legacy with violence and sin?

If there one thing I can’t excuse, it’s hypocrisy.

How can anyone fight for the rights of others while contradicting themselves at the exact same time ?

We can’t make progress this way.

Some say this man shouldn’t have lost his life, but at the exact same time, they jeopardize the lives of others by torching buildings and resorting to violence.

Some say we should all be equal and it shouldn’t be about colour, but many choose to accept labels, remembering George as “a black man killed by a white man,” instead of, simply, a human being who deserved life.

Some say that they want peace, but they

demonstrate this by lighting cars on fire, smashing windows, throwing rocks, damaging police cruisers, throwing firecrackers, and other riotous acts.

Every life is important. Any life lost should mean something. It shouldn’t make a difference what the colour of a person’s skin is. Its an opportunity to make the world a better place by raising consciousness and bringing people together in a constructive way.

It is NOT OK for people to use George’s name as an excuse to do more WRONG.

It is unacceptable, and just as disgusting as George’s life being taken prematurely.

This man and his legacy DESERVE MORE.

George’s story resonates differently with everyone.

It’s okay if you see this as a civil rights issue. Or, as so many are still labelling it a “black white issue”. Everyone is entitled to their own perspective.

Isn’t the media often great at showing us all how different we are, as opposed to how similar? Is it such an outrageous ask for columnists to leverage George’s story to write something about human rights in general, and the fact that NO ONE, NO RACE, NO GENDER, NO NATIONALITY should ever be treated that way? Maybe I’m missing something, but I searched for ONE article that used George’s story to touch on human rights in general and how this tragedy is an opportunity to bring us all together as a collective. Nothing.

I personally don’t want to be reminded about how different George and I are. Because he’s a man and I’m a woman. Or because he’s black and I am white. I want to recognize that MY brother lost his life unfairly. And I want to come together with MY family, MY community to look for viable solutions.

It’s also okay if you choose to see this as a corrupt police issue. However, that view, in and of itself, typecasts ALL cops as evil villains, in the same unjust way people of colour (gender, sexual orientation, nationality) have been, and are often still, grouped, labelled, and discriminated against. Have many police officers made very bad decisions? Yes. Is it unacceptable? Yes. Is it ok for us to group all police officers and label them as the Bad Guys, so we can continue to divide society even more? I personally don’t believe so but again, you do you. ✌️

Where the line should be drawn is when people try to excuse their extreme violence or criminal acts in any way.

THERE ARE NO EXCUSES.

I challenge anyone who is lighting police stations on fire, or resorting to brutality, to remember this: George was a HUMAN BEING who deserved life in the same way that police officers are HUMAN BEINGS who deserve life! If anyone thinks it’s at all acceptable to hurt a police officer because of what has happened to George Floyd, I call BS on you fighting for what’s right. You are not the the human being that you are calling on others to be. Lead by example first!!!

Brothers and Sisters: this is an opportunity to come together in peace and make a difference together. Let’s walk the walk. Let’s hold ourselves accountable before we expect others to do the same. Here is an opportunity to make George, our brother, proud.

It is our chance to turn George Floyd’s tragedy into TRANSFORMATION.

Where are the peace ceremonies? Where are the articles written from the perspective of the collective? Where do opportunities for true impact exist?

The answers lie within US.

XO Lauren ❤️