For all my brothers and sisters of every skin color,
Today Friday, June 12, is a perfect day here in Central Virginia. I look out my window and see mighty, tall trees swaying gently side to side in a tender spring breeze. The sky is pale blue. No clouds portend of showers later on. Huge patches of shade dot the brilliant green grass, offering shelter from the high temperature. Peace and happiness fill my soul.
Then I remember Monday, May 25th, less than two weeks ago. An unarmed man of color: George Floyd. A white police officer whose name I don’t need to remember. In less than 10 minutes the officer has murdered George Floyd. Several witnesses take videos that shows a cold, non-responsive officer kneeling on George Floyd’s neck, not heeding his cry I can’t breathe, or his call out for his mother, or his loss of consciousness. Frozen in his mission, the officer doesn’t rise from George Floyd’s neck until an EMT tells him to get up. I think my brother George Floyd is already dead.
The NY Times pieces together the varied videos and creates a minute-by-minute sequence of what has happened. The narrator’s kind and soft voice cannot possibly dilute the incomprehensible, horrific sight of the cold, cruel murder of George Floyd. Three officers watch. They do or say nothing to intervene.
Heartbroken and outraged, I viscerally feel in the oxygen I breathe that our country is close to breaking open from generations of unspeakable degradation. My heart joins with the rage of the rioters.
How have I been in this foggy place for decades? I wonder. Now that I’ve witnessed the terrible truth of a white officer killing unarmed George Floyd, the fog disappears and I’m forever changed as I see, at last, the real truth of racism, police brutality, and white supremacy. Clearly, I’ve been part of the problem by not knowing enough. I’ve always known life is not equal for my brothers and sisters of color, yet I somehow believe that people in higher places than mine are working to make their lives better.
For sure, some are working very hard. I know our world has many good officers. Yet it is time to overhaul the police system. Identify and release those who abuse without delay. Their departments know who they are. Support those who see the people in their neighborhoods with respect, kindness, and what their job is: to help and keep their neighborhood safe.
When I retired from a long human services and social work career in 2009, I knew much remained to be done for all my brothers and sisters. A world like this, I didn’t dream of. But, I should have.
Right away, protesters start destroying their communities, unable to suppress their unbearable generational pain any longer. Four days later, Minneapolis arrests the killer. 3rd degree murder is not the right charge. “Charge him like you would charge me,” a black man roars, “First Degree Murder.”
I’ve always been soft-spoken and compassionate in my work. But four days after George Floyd’s murder, I do something I’ve never done before. A few years ago I found my voice and now I, with so many others, call out the Minneapolis justice officials here: https://maryjodoig.com/2020/06/01/white-officer-killing-of-an-unarmed-black-man-once-again/.
Minneapolis, lead a courageous journey that shows us the way to value all human life.
Undoubtedly, I know you can do it.
But, will you?
Pretty soon, Minneapolis and other states are speaking about ways to do better,
protesters are becoming more peaceful, more numerous,
marching all over the country in solidarity,
the rest of the world joins us in supporting equal rights for all.
Washington completely fails us.
Nevertheless, we’re clearly turning a corner,
Gone is the fog. We all know what to do now,
we are all brothers and sisters,
our clear and continuous voices will not stop.
My brothers and sisters of every skin color, I believe without doubt that this time we will make real change.
Certainly, this time we cannot fail with this outpouring of pain, caring and commitment.
I’m grateful to be receiving your blog again, Mary Jo. Your posts are powerful. I can relate to your words: “How have I been in this foggy place for decades?” We white folks have a lot of work to do. We progressive white folks need to take a long hard look at ourselves. I’m listening to black people and learning far too late. I too carry the hope that this time we will make real change. That means we can’t let this important moment drop. Thank you for your post.
I’m so grateful we’ve re-connected again, Linda, here and at WIP, and I appreciate your words of our shared fogginess and need to move from that place. True and true.
Beautifully said, Mary Jo. All I can say is, “Amen!”
Thank you, Len.
Thanks, Maryjo – your gentle voice has always been a healer – as expressed here, even in your rage….beautifully written.
Have I ever told you that with each passing year, I’m more and more grateful we remain friends and sisters, Jan. Your visit is a gift!
Beautifully written and felt!
Always your visits are like a ray of sunshine, Sara. You lighten my heavy heart at this time, as the killings continue on…
Your words express with eloquence what people find difficult to say. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for these so-kind words at a time when so many of our hearts are so heavy as, still – unbelievably – the shootings keep on. I’m sad this morning and your words comfort. Thank you. Sending so much affection your way, Margie. ❤
We need to see all people as our children, worthy of our love for them – when behavior isn’t safe for one or his/her neighbors, the law needs to be fair. Each person has a history of love, fear, anger – many times with valid cause – each has had a fav toy or blankie, feared shots or not, had to learn to look both ways crossing the street………we forget.
I am moved by your heartfelt post, Mary Jo. I, too, have known that people of color have been treated less equal but am shocked at the brutality seen in this event. I feel as though I must do something, but am not sure what. I vow I will find a way to help make a difference.