How America Had Been Slowly Killing George Floyd for Decades
For decades, America has been slowly killing George Floyd. This is not a hyperbolic statement but a factual account of the systemic and institutionalized racism that has plagued the nation for far too long. The tragic incident that sparked the global Black Lives Matter movement was not an isolated event but a culmination of years of systemic oppression and dehumanization.
The roots of this systemic racism can be traced back to the country’s founding. The institution of slavery, which was based on the dehumanization and exploitation of African Americans, laid the groundwork for a society that valued some lives over others. Even after the abolition of slavery, segregation and discrimination persisted, perpetuating the cycle of oppression.
The murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25, 2020, was a tragic and chilling reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America. Floyd, a Black man, was subjected to a knee-on-neck restraint for nearly nine minutes while being handcuffed, despite his repeated cries of “I can’t breathe.” This act of violence was not an anomaly but a symptom of a deeply entrenched culture of brutality and impunity within the law enforcement community.
The fact that Chauvin was not immediately charged with murder or manslaughter after Floyd’s death is a testament to the systemic nature of this problem. It took weeks of protests and pressure from the public for him to be charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. This delay is indicative of the broader issue of a legal system that is biased against people of color.
The systemic killing of Black Americans is not limited to law enforcement. It is a broader problem that manifests in various forms, including economic disparities, educational inequality, and health care access. Black Americans are more likely to live in poverty, attend underfunded schools, and receive substandard health care compared to their white counterparts. These disparities contribute to a cycle of oppression that is difficult to break.
The recent uprisings and protests across the country and around the world have highlighted the urgency of addressing these systemic issues. The slogan “Black Lives Matter” has become a rallying cry for those who seek to end the centuries-long tradition of systemic racism. It is a call to action, a demand for change, and a reminder that the struggle for racial justice is far from over.
In conclusion, America has been slowly killing George Floyd for decades, through systemic racism, institutionalized oppression, and a culture of violence and impunity. The tragic death of Floyd and the subsequent global protests have brought this issue to the forefront, forcing the nation to confront its dark past and work towards a more just and equitable future. It is time for America to take a stand against systemic racism and commit to making real change for all its citizens.
