George Floyd
The Tale of Two Reports
Hello Golden Divas!
An unknown virus gripped the world in fear in December 2019. The deadly virus that was steadily growing, and choking the life out of humans, was called Coronavirus. A disease that creates shortness of breath by attacking the lungs.
As of today April 22, 2021, the Coronavirus death toll is 3,074,994.
The other disease of mankind that has been taking the lives of humans; especially African Americans since 1619, is slavery, where people of color still feel the effects of racism in 2021. It is a deadly disease that has taken the lives of many brown and black people, keeping them from breathing throughout their entire lives.
May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black male, was killed by a racist police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota while being arrested on suspicion of using a 20-dollar counterfeit bill.
This officer interrupted and disrupted yet another African American male life expectancy. His primary job was to serve and protect; however, his evil soul was hidden behind a badge and a blue uniform. Officer Derek Chauvin chose to cut someone’s life short not by his hands but with his knee on his neck.
George Floyd uttered the words ‘I Can’t Breathe’ as bystanders stood by watching the horrific act by the policeman. The officer seemed unbothered as the crowd grew and proceeded with his unorthodox method of the arrest.
However, thanks to technology, George Floyd’s death will not be in vain. As the crowd continued to witness this cruel act of injustice, they quickly knew something was truly wrong with this officer and his arrest tactic. More cellphones came out, and the video tapings began. The world watched the tragic killing in real-time.
Thanks to an unknown teenager named Darnella Frazier who’s video upended the police department’s initial report. The video went viral of an officer blatantly murdering a man for the world to see. The death of Mr. Floyd spurred the most significant civil rights protests in decades.
George Floyd’s police report is where the ‘The Tale of Two Reports’ begins and ends!
We all know words can express many things; as writers, we can change the narrative in a pen stroke or a keystroke; however, a video never lies; if you look closely enough, the truth is always revealed.
Little did we know Darnella’s video that went viral would help justice to be served on April 20, 2021. A bystander captured the scars of police violence, and the trial of Derek Chauvin was at the center of a national reckoning on race and policing.
Yes, before you say it, we know the cycles of systematic racism and policing aren’t new. Many came before Floyd as we watched their trials, Rodney King, Oscar Grant, and Stephon Clark. We watched with their families to see if justice will be served correctly.
The narrative of this murder event was written up entirely differently by the police department and the media. “Man Dies After Medical Incident During Police Interaction.” Stating that Floyd resisted the arrest. After they placed him in handcuffs, they dually noted he appeared to be suffering medical distress. The officers called for an ambulance, and yes, Floyd was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In a one-sentence paragraph, the department also said, “At no time were weapons of any type used by anyone involved in this incident.”
The department also said, “No officers were injured in the incident.”
Wait! Nowhere in the report and the release statement stated that Chauvin’s knee was on his neck, blocking his passage to breathe.
Say what now! We all know we can’t trust everything we read, which leads us not to trust police officials and break out our cellphones to report the truth through the eyes of the independent videos.
Remember Darnella Frazier, the young teenager I mentioned earlier in this post who videotaped the crime. Let’s say she ‘changed and shattered the narrative‘ the police of Minnesota wanted us to believe.
Thanks to Darnella, her video showed Chauvin kneeling on Mr. Floyd’s neck for several minutes. Eight minutes and 46 seconds, to be exact. However, according to prosecutors for Derek Chauvin, it is 9 minutes and 29 seconds, longer than initially reported. This arrest tactic was an excessive force to Floyd, leading to his death.
Although we know the time difference doesn’t matter, Floyd’s life has ended over a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill and a knee to his neck. Nonetheless, the time paints a devastating picture of how someone like Chauvin’s action was wrong and the amount of time to kill him.
The trial of the State v. Chauvin began on March 8, 2021, and almost one year and one month shy of George Floyd’s murder, the verdict of this horrendous case came back ‘GUILTY!”
Tuesday was a monumental day worldwide, a day that will be seared in our minds for a lifetime. April 20th justice was served for George Floyd, another date in time where we will look back, and we will reflect and remember exactly where we were when we heard the Derek Chauvin verdict ‘Guilty!’
Yes, the former Minneapolis police officer was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. The charges against him collectively amount to 75 years in prison. However, the judge must focus on the most serious charges of second-degree murder. His sentencing may carry a maximum of 40 years behind bars.
Without Darnella Frazier’s videotape, the verdict could have been different and worked in favor of Derek Chauvin. The outcome would have been based on the official report of the arrest. A lie and the truth would have never come out. As it usually does in these cases.
Now don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of good cops out there; I have a few in my family; however, there are many corrupt cops out there too.
The truth progression has begun in our long road to justice, with Chauvin’s verdict being ‘Guilty!’
Rest in peace, George Floyd; your death has not been in vain.
Although justice has been served in this case, we have to work towards ‘Rethinking Policing in America!’
A Change is Gonna Come! It has to come!