Say His Name

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

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OK: Onto tonight’s post!

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George Floyd.

If that name is unfamiliar with you, please allow me to remedy that.

George Floyd was the victim of a horrific act of police brutality on Monday in Minneapolis.

Floyd, 46, a black man, died after a police officer kneeled on his neck, pinning him to the ground for several minutes. He was in hand-cuffs, cooperating, face down on the pavement, all the while pleading, “Please, I can’t breathe” while bystanders recorded the heinous incident, begging the officer to release the man who was clearly dying.

This gut wrenching scene continued until Floyd became motionless, and died a short time later.

Police had been called to the scene for a non-violent incident — forgery. And police claim that Floyd “physically resisted” getting out of the car when instructed to.

There’s a video circulating online that shows the entire unspeakable incident, and watching it made me absolutely sick. Seeing George Floyd’s face smashed into the concrete, as an officer kneeled on his neck, as though Floyd were not even human — it is unconscionable that a person could deem this behavior as acceptable.

The inhumane treatment of this non-violent man is the epitome of deplorable. And has sparked nationwide outcry, as it very well should.

And sitting here, as a blogger, I could not let this atrocity go unspoken. But I’m going to be honest, knowing how to talk about something of such magnitude – I feel incredibly unqualified to even broach the topic.

It is arrogant to think that there’s possibly anything I could add of value to the conversation. I do not know what it is like to be black in America. I do not know what it is like to be targeted by authorities and society due to my race. Nor do I know what it is like to be a cop, and put my life on the line, serving the community every day.

And frankly, this is something that Christian niceties like, “Love your neighbor,” or “Whatever you did to the least of these, you did to me” – simply won’t cut it.

This is bigger than that. This was evil on display.

And sitting here as Christians, how do we respond?

Seriously — I’m asking you. Because I don’t know.

Yes, we can pray. But offering “thoughts and prayers” on social media just seems empty and completely out of touch.

The backwardness of society is laughable. We’ve got our politicians bickering over wearing masks — and the virtue signaling that brings — while in the streets — on the ground — where people live — there is such a disgusting attack on the dignity of man. On the dignity, value, and sanctity of life.

The value of life that each and every person possesses, regardless of skin color, or religion, or country of origin, or sexual orientation, or stage of life.

The dignity of the human person is something bestowed on us from God — that cannot be disposed of, diminished, or denied.

That dignity of life was completely disregarded for George Floyd, in a brutal act of completely unnecessary and unwarranted violence — which was outside of police protocol and technique, and resulted in death.

So, what are we, as Christians to do?

Say his name.

George Floyd.

Give him the dignity that was stripped from him on that concrete, and use his name when you speak of his injustice.

Do not let his death be swept under the rug, or silenced, or forgotten, or hidden away. Because it matters.

It matters in a big way.

And the only way to make his death not be in vain is to learn from it. To use it as a learning opportunity to do better. To use it as a turning point to resolve to heal divisions brought about by differences in race, religion, background, etc. To use it to forge pathways of respect where we champion one another, and work to heal wounds, and prevent future disunity.

And one way to do that is to listen. Listen to those who have stories to tell. Hear their pain and injustice. Acknowledge what people have gone through. Because though you or I personally may not have experienced the bitter division or horrific persecution based on race, creed, or color — sadly, that is not the case for everyone. And the starting point, if we want to heal together and change the status quo, is to listen to those it has impacted. And hear the reality that is outside of your own.

Because if we want change, we have to have — not only compassion, empathy, and a willing heart — but also an awareness of the truth.

I want to close with one final thought.

It’s really easy to paint with broad strokes. Incredibly easy. And it’s equally as destructive.

It’s really easy to look at this story and instantly write off all cops as racist. As violent. As horrible people. But the fact is, in law enforcement — as with all professions and groups and organizations — there are simply “bad apples.” There are outliers that do not accurately represent the overwhelming majority, and yet make the biggest “splash,” therefore coloring the opinion of the masses.

And this is one of those regrettable instances. All cops are not this cop. This cop made despicable choices that are inexcusable, inhumane and downright evil. And I hope he is held to the full extent of the law and rightly punished for his actions that resulted in the death of George Floyd.

But this cop is not all police officers: men and women who truly want to protect and serve the community, and do so bravely every single day.

So in the protests and demonstrations — which are rightly so — I just hope that we can refrain from damning all those in uniform, and instead keep this focused on this incident.

May God rest the soul of George Floyd. May his loved ones and communities be comforted during this devastating time of injustice and grief. And may our country come together to demand just and fair treatment for all our brothers and sisters, no matter the color of their skin.

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

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beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

228 thoughts on “Say His Name”

  1. Yes!! Speak up, this is not ok!! I will be speaking up on this on my page too!! This is not a time to be complacent especially when we have a voice to speak up on it! I’m not a black American but a white Australian – although colour and should not be a factor but this inhumanity was a factor and driven by hatred, race and colour and am rocked to the core with this! I will be standing with you on this and speaking up too!! Xx

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    1. thank you friend – yes – it is so tragic what happened and we need to speak up on George’s behalf. rocked to the core indeed. thank you for stopping by and for caring. stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  2. Another thing all of us can do is this: when you encounter someone who is not like you (different race, culture, religion,sexual orientation, etc.) strike up a conversation with them. Actually get to know a little about them as a person.

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    1. that’s a really great point, David! you’re right – a convo goes a long way! thanks! Hugs and love xox

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  3. This is one of MANY acts of senseless violence against African Americans. I’ve had to hear and watch all these acts helplessly on television since I was a child. I have a young son, and I’m terrified every year he gets older and praying he never has any run-ins with police, the very organization that’s supposed to protect him. I can’t be quiet anymore. I’m going to use my voice to speak up, and I’m going to keep speaking up. I call upon everyone to use their voting rights to hold the vote until a REAL plan is put into place to stop the senseless and heinous acts of police brutality in this country. We all collectively pay our taxes which funds public services. When Uncle Sam comes for his cut, race doesn’t seem to matter.

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    1. thank you for sharing this powerful perspective. gosh – that is heartbreaking. it is so sad that that is the world right now. i will be praying for your son and your family, and for our country that we can fix this tragic issue. Hugs and love xox

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  4. Thank you, Caralyn. We must tell the stories, as you have. We must hold law officers accountable. We must elect judges and prosecutors who will condemn this racial violence to the full extent of the law. And we must face and convert our own racism.

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    1. Thank you so much Renee, you’ve brought up so so many great points here. I’m right there with you!! to the full extent of the law, for sure. stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  5. Well argued. One of your best. As a black mother of black men, I am so sorry for his mother and his family. This is why I am scared to be stopped. I know that not every white cop is bad, but I also know that we are not viewed as whites they may stop. The idea that we pose a threat makes me nervous at the possibility of being hurt or killed over a misunderstanding. I hope justice is served for Mr. Floyd and that looting will stop, for that can seem to affirm the right to fear us. Wonderfully balanced post. Thank you, my dear.

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    1. thank you so much my friend. it is so heartbreaking that that is the current climate, and i just pray that our country can grow from this tragic tragic event, and become a better america. Gosh, i am praying for you and your family, and i wish i could give you a hug right now. stay well , Hugs and love xox

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  6. Wow! I could really feel your passion for godly justice and fairness in this post. I couldn’t have said it better myself. Thank you for laying out your feelings with such honesty and frankness.

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    1. thank you so much Harry- it really is so tragic what happened, and it can’t be brushed aside. we need to look it in the face so we can change it and do better. stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  7. I pray that the Police department look into this case because although the police were there to arrest this man what the policeman in question did was commit a sin as well! MURDER! Prayers also go out to the coloured man’s family

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    1. i do too – it was 100% murder and i hope he is held to the highest extent of the law. Hugs and love xox

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  8. Please forgive me for not saying this earlier. I am very upset by what happened to Mr. Floyd. Your post was beautifully constructed, and I thank you for creating a space for this dialogue.

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    1. thank you so much, i’m glad it resonated with you. it was a horrific event, and i jsut pray that our nation wakes up and realizes that we need to change. stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  9. I must keep reminding myself that prayer should always be the means of FIRST resort, not the last. Maybe we don’t offer our thoughts…just our prayers. Why? The reason offering thoughts and prayers seems so weak is because something in our nature makes us think we can cause change instead of coming to Him and asking Him to do something too big for us. We know instinctively that our thoughts are too small. We don’t rally value prayer as we should. We don’t value God as we should.

    George Floyd is too big for us. The riots are too big for us. We can flood politician’s offices with emails and phone calls, but I know from personal experience that isn’t as effective as we often think. Is it our pride that makes us think we can handle it? Is it concern for a fellow child of God? I won’t try to characterize it, because I can’t speak to everyone’s motivation.

    I can say that while well-intentioned, thoughts do nothing, except possibly extending a piece of ourselves personally, if we are heard. Given the magnitude of this event, prayer is the only appropriate first response.

    What can we do then? Pray. That’s number one. Number two is make sure that we are God’s light wherever we are. The only way this violence can be stamped out is if we all be God’s conduits of love and decency everywhere. Let our small, individual lights add up to something that illuminates all of society. Only when God is everyone’s answer will this sort of thing end.

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    1. Hi Jeff – you’re so right about that – there is power in prayer. Thoughts are nice, but prayer changes things, and you’re right – should be the first response. because we can so often forget, but God is crying too, seeing this happen between His children. God is grieving and we need to include Him in that. I love your number two too. BE conduits of His love – amen. that is my deepest prayer. thank you for offering this powerful and beautiful reflection. i always can count on you for a really moving perspective. stay well, and hugs to you and your girls xox

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  10. Do you really, really want to know what you can do? You can vote for leaders who make taking care of this stuff a priority. This man was murdered in the street and repressed anger is causing a lot of people to lash out, however incorrectly, throughout America. This country has lost 100,000 people to the worst pandemic in 100 years. And what is our top leader doing today? He’s getting angry at his favorite website for pointing out one of his lies. Forget all the moral baggage this dude has. It’s not important today. Look at him as a leader. This is not leadership. This is a narcissist who thinks only about himself. Until yesterday, I was on the fence of who I was voting for because, in all truth…I’m not a Democrat, I don’t generally like Democrats and it will pain me to vote Joe Biden in a major way. But we need real leaders more than ever in this country. I voted for Trump in 2016. I said we needed change and this would be an experiment we could fix in 2020. The experiment failed. I’m 100% convinced Trump will not bring us together in the next four years and continue to have an agenda that falls far short of what the leader of the most powerful country in the world should have. We are the United States….United. He doesn’t care. I do.

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    1. Thank you Joshua for sharing your thoughts on this. That’s a great point – leadership in this country dictates the tone of its people. Definitely something to take seriously to heart and pray about during this upcoming election. stay well. Hugs and love xox

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      2. i look forward to reading your posts! thank you for sharing. glad this sparked some thoughts!

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    1. Hi Jack, there will definitely be a lot of anger and resentment towards the horrific violence and murder he committed.

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  12. community which at times is not easy job. Regardless of race there are evil people out here with and without badges. What that cop did to Mr. Floyd wasn’t right and he will have to answer to Jesus when it time. ” The only way to the father is through his son”

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    2. you’re right – he will certainly have to answer to Jesus. I am just so sicked by the whole situation. thank you for sharing your thoguhts. Hugs and love xox

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  13. Hey BBB, another great post. It takes a lot to post your conscious. Too many bully’s, too many racists. The good police are too good that the bad jump out at you like a nail in the hand of Jesus. I know many officers and I appreciate what the have to do to protect us, in this case from their own. You spoke your mind and I am proud of you for it. If we tolerate it we accept it as right. Now all those friends of mine have to start out again, in every town they live in, every district they watch and try to rebuild a reputation back again from the actions of another. My cares and prayers for the nation as a whole. Healing is so hard when the news doesn’t seem to be changing much.

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    1. Hi Dennis, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. I agree – i know so many terrific cops who went into the line of duty to serve and protect, and it is just so unfortuante that this outlier’s evil action colors the opinion of what is truly a selfless and noble profession. thank you for the encouraging words and prayers. stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  14. There are people who get a swollen ego when they are put in a position of power. Some teachers get like that. Some governors or even security guards.

    I had a student one year that had been in trouble with the law over and over. Finally the police department actually hired him to work for them because he knew everyone in the “underground.” It went to his head and he could not function normally because he had been promoted so far above his classmates. He went around talking down to the kids who had formerly been his friends.

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    1. Hi Beth, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. What interesting insight. the ego is a powerful thing — both when it is inflated, and the opposite. glad you stopped by. Hugs and love xox

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  15. This was absolutely horrible. My heart aches for his family as well, I cannot imagine watching a family member die, while crying for help.

    What this police officer did, was beyond inhumane. All he had to do is take his knee off of his neck.

    As you said, this is not to say “all” police officers are like this.

    Yes, we need to speak out against these things and do what one thinks God is leading them to do.

    I still believe prayer is our greatest weapon against evil. As St. Charbel said, “We cannot use the weapon’s of evil to fight the devil, lest we become like him. Prayer is all we have.”

    I know saying, “Prayer is all we have seems so trivial.” But it was prayer that led the Israelites out of Egypt. It was prayer that saved David in all of his sins. It was prayer that got Job out of his ashes. It was prayer that Jesus always went to.

    Prayer is actually the best weapon we have against evil. For when we do that, we are placing it in God’s hands, the perfect hands, not ours which drop everything. When God’s justice comes through, in this case Mr. Floyd, it will be “PERFECT JUSTICE.” Which we can never give.

    Good post and love you more. God Bless, SR

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    1. Beyond inhumane, indeed. It is just gut wrenching to watch. Thank you SR for sharing your thoguhts on this – you’re so right – there really is power in prayer, and we have to rememebr that God is mourning over this too. Those were His sons that were involved in this incident, and His child that died, and His child that committed the murder. He is grieving right now too. Prayer is the best weapon – i love that. His perfect hands and perfect Justice. i really needed tohear that, thank you friend. stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  16. Thanks for sharing and showing true grace. This may not be popular to hear or say, but my father was a police officer. A police officer never knows whether the next encounter will be a violent or a peaceful one. Back in 1991, he was the on scene commander during a hostage situation. The guys holded up were well armed. What do you do? It is a terrible burden to be a police officer.

    I am shocked to hear that non violent forgery case escalated so badly. We have to pray for all parties involved.

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    1. Thank you so much friend, for sharing that. I thank you for the sacrifices your father and your family made to ensure the safety of others. it is truly a noble profession, and it makes me so sad that this one “bad apple’s” horrible decisions is coloring the opinion. Yes – pray for all involved indeed. Stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  17. Hi Beauty: I respond to this a black female ex- military security forces member. I told you before that this lockdown was no big deal as I was on bed rest for both pregnancies, well it is from injuries I endured while serving. I saw all that to say this. All cops are not bad, however once you are part of the boys in blue you are family. And families stick together. Meaning that if there is a bad cop they will not tell on each other. You know the saying I the streets about snitching. The same goes for cops. Because they have to know that they can trust each other because their lives literally depends on each other. What happened was horrible but it will surprise me if any charges are filed. It was pure hate and they all know it but no one will step forward for fear of retribution from the family of cops.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing this powerful perspective. Gosh, that just makes me so so sad. And i definitely understand that underlying unspoken “protocol.” Especially in a line of work where, like you said, your life depends on it. Gosh, what a tragic situation all the way around. I appreciate oyu sharing that insight. stay well my friend. Hugs and love xox

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  18. I was literally yelling at my phone while watching this video. I’ve never felt so heartbroken and angry at the same time.

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    1. it was just gut wrenching to watch. Made me cry in sadness and anger too. Thanks Ellen, for sharing that. stay well my friend. Hugs and love xox

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  19. Look for God in others. You are likely to discover that He does not look like you thought He looked. And the real prize is that you will recognize Him when you do finally see His face. May God test dear George’s soul.

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    1. amen to that – you’re so right. He is there, we just have to really look for Him. i appreciate you sharing that. stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  20. I was a cop for a few years. Well, more…international. Stuff. So, yes you are allowed to use whatever is necessary to protect yourself and the lives of others. Yes, police do make mistakes just like any other service profession. Doctors. Lawyers. 18% of precincts nationally allow neck restraint techniques. Carotid compression induces “sleep” as a less than lethal alternative for compliance. A sleepy person is more apt to be handcuffed and processed.

    Then, we all think. Wait! This guy died. Yes. Police make decisions based on imperfect narratives. Just, in Ohio. A hotel clerk said a Muslim man “pledge allegiance to Al Queida.” Cops, disrobed him and damaged everything he owned. It was a false report by the hotel clerk. She doesn’t speak Farsi. It’s not the same but, similar. Taking the report of a witness to a crime over visual evidence. These four officers involved could have shown up and taken ANY other approach than, provoking a suspect. Check fraud or kiting is MN State 609.535. Its not, a huge deal. I say provocation, because assault on an officer is pretty open and shut in court. Any kind of aggression from the suspect can be warranted an increased aggression from the officer.

    There’s a lot of sociology behind that as well. Laws are made without consideration of the impact in select groups. Then the state, receives money to “crack down” or “war on [insert ambiguous thing here].” It will never be stated that this law or restriction is Black, or Poor or Asian. But, you can over enforce certain violations and produce more violations given to minorities in districts. These waves happen when certain ideologies are promoted above the laws that are to be enforced. Rodney King happened post Reagan. Neck restraint technique started being a common police tactic post Nixon’s War on Drugs.

    The perception of minority individuals were very different in the social conscience of these three periods but the indifference to these injustices remained the same. As many minorities I’ve met have used this saying, “It’s your world, I just live in it.”

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    1. Thank you for sharing this powerful perspective. THe whole incident just makes me sick. and neck restraints seems barbaric. thanks for stopping by and for providing this food for thought. Hugs and love xox

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      1. That’s why I left. I don’t dislike the justice system. We do need laws and an ability to promote justice. We cannot abandon what has been offered to us in the creation of this country. Even if, it was written as a form of exclusive rights above others. Every move within this framework of justice should reflect that, justice. We cannot say the police had that justification to take George Floyd’s life. Or, were justified to use an extreme technique for that violation. The same way, it has been shown in other precincts of extreme techniques for petty offenses.

        In the same, when a lady almost killed me for running a red light. She was let go. I changed my address from the luxurious side of town. The cop looked at me like, “try me. Talk out of turn.” I’m a minority and had several witnesses and the lady was a pretty white insta model. She cried. I sat in the hospital for two months. It’s like, the same.

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      2. Oh my gosh I’m so sorry that happened to you. That breaks my heart and makes me so sad

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      3. I healed, another scar. I just, think when someone brings up the topic that’s not a minority. You become a part of the problem as well. That’s unfair, and I’m sorry if you get blamed in the comments. Neither you or I, chose to be this color. Yet somehow, that divide must remain for us to have dialogue about it. That’s unfortunate.

        There will always be minorities shot or killed by police. There will always be an “unfair” justice system due to the financial needs of suspects in custody. The reality that we live in. I didn’t choose it, either.

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      5. I’m fine. I was just, worried for you. The tone shifts no matter how much sympathy there is. Like, I feel bad for the governor when a similar thing happened in Arizona. Two white cops and a black family nearly shot over a toy doll in my neighborhood. Governor Ducey did nothing. No protests. Are we weaker than Minnesota? Or just, less organized as minorities. I’d think the latter. We don’t have as many rights as they do there.

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      7. If you look. These aren’t isolated incidents. Its a dominant culture with an interest in preservation or fear of losing dominance. Yes. There are great scholars that illustrate the hardships of minorities balancing between cultures. It’s just, easy to see it as always like this. That’s limiting the tools to see the impact these shooting events create. It’s my skin that makes me a success in life? To have all that I see others have? To not, be paraded around for everyone to see for a simple traffic stop. It’s never been this equal than any other generation before us. But, I’m still something like 6x more likely to get shot while communicating with an officer.

        When life is that unfair. I just draw now. Talk with my real community. Where I live and try to give them more vision that this place is hard. You may not win and well, that’s okay.

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      9. You have a good heart to pursue a topic that, for many of us. Has effected us our whole lives. I know, I’ll never be accepted and well that’s that. It is an almost impossible task to refine our laws and ways of life to be inclusive of others. Since, the construction of the Constitution they’ve never had too. That sentiment, is there in everything we do. A nice restaurant. A decent gym. My triathlons, for the most part I was the only one that was like me. I was friendly but I think, there’s still distrust. Even my triathlon sponsor said, “You won’t make it to the big leagues, you’re not White.”

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      11. Just wondering if this changed your mind about supporting the kids from Catholic School that mocked an older Native man at his own protest. (https://beautybeyondbones.com/2019/01/24/the-covington-catholic-smear-campaign/) Or, calling Charlottesville white supremacists an alt left group. Or mentioning, Heather Heyer at all. (https://beautybeyondbones.com/2017/08/14/charlottesville-wake-up-call/) Oh. And a “middle finger” to the left. (https://beautybeyondbones.com/2016/11/10/profile-of-a-trump-supporter/) Oh. And an admiration of Ben Shapiro on Twitter.

        Has any of these opinions changed? Or. Will you be representing them again in a week or two?

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      12. How About this old post of yours also. It seems, to offer a different stance than how you feel now.
        “The behavior on display today by much of the public is nothing short of a disgrace. Almost as bad as our athletes kneeling during the national anthem.” (Beauty Beyond Bones, 10/2/17).

        That kneeling that you said was disgusting or wait, disgraceful was about this very thing that occured to George Floyd. Do you feel the same now?

        More Than A Gun

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  22. Great post, it’s so important to speak about this, it’s so sad, nobody deserve to die like this. I hope it will change people heart’s help them to realize we’re all human and deserve respect.

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    1. thank you so much.you’re right – i hope this incident will change people’s hearts too!! stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  23. I am amazed at your naivety. You live in the US right? Don’t you know history? Haven’t you read Ta-Nehisi Coates, James Baldwin, Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison, etc.? It’s not a matter of individuals, it’s a culture of fear and resentment. Under the current administration racism has become acceptable. It’s not just the police. Look at what happened in Central Park only a couple of days ago and what happened in a Minneapolis office building yesterday. Praying won’t help. Being a religious won’t help. Educate yourself and stay aware and angry.

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    1. Hi Steven, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this. What happened in Central Park is also horrible, and also highlights the brokenness in our country. stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  24. Thank you for this ethically emotive issue that you raise which both you and you’re readers that comment add a greater insight into this particularly tragic affair. I do not know if it is because it is not reported but you don’t seem to hear about such events taking place with people of a white ethnicity, which is what I think deeply hurts and angers the families, friends and people that feel (that could have been me, my dad or my friends). People will continue to seek and hope for justice on this plane as well as the next. Best wishes to you and thank you for your thoughts.

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    1. Hi friend, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. it is a horrible situation all the way around. I pray for all those involved. Hugs and love xox

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  27. Thank you for your tribute. I so grateful that you said his name.

    You asked what we can do and you’re right that we can pray and that it is not enough even though God is enough.

    I think what we are called to do is really pay attention. Many of us may not be comfortable with the tactics of activists, but it is time to join with the activist that are fighting against the tides of injustice. Googling “how to fight for George Floyd” produces good results.

    The key action right now is to bombard the DA’s office with requests that these people be charged with murder. I realize a civil rights investigation is happening. But in addition to that, we need good old-fashioned swift and immediate murder charges. A man was murdered. It’s not that hard. The thing that makes it hard is racism and the privilege of white people and as you pointed out the bad apple cops. We need to speak out. Thank you for being part of that voice.

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    1. thank you so much. You’re right – pray and paying attention. That’s a really powerful point. i will definitely google that!! stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  28. You have great content but it’s hard to read with all the ads… I live near Minneapolis. What happened was gut-wrenching and evil. But now I have friends that can’t go back to work because of the violence and rioting. “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:12-13 Jesus is coming back soon, the time is short. We are going to see more and more of this…

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    1. Hi Sierra, thank you for this reflection. I will definitely be keeping your community in my prayers. i’m sorry that your friends are being impacted by the backlash. that’s a pwerful scripture. thanks for the constructive feedback, too! Hugs and love xox

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  29. I am a mother of four young black men. Even though they are respectful men and serving their country, the color of their skin places them in a different class. There are evil people out here with and without badges. The fact someone can treat another person as if they are useless is despicable. I have seen what it’s like to be on both sides of the street. All law enforcement officers aren’t bad cops. There are police officers who come to work ready to serve the community regardless of race. It is hard not to feel the pain these families have to endure. What this cop has done to Mr. Floyd is wrong on all levels. He will have to face a judge when it’s time. I am not talking about a human judge. He will have to deal with Jesus and Jehovah. He took a man’s life he has to answer for that. I just wished people wouldn’t take the violent route to prove a point. These violent riots are not justified or necessary. One evil act doesn’t constitute another evil act.

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    1. Thank you for sharing that. i am right there with you – the fact that this tragedy occured is just despicable indeed. And i agree – one evil act doesn’t constitute another, that’s for sure. I pray we can learn from this and move forward in a positive direction of healing. stay well. Hugs and love xox

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  30. Thank you for this post. As a mother and a human being I have been struggling to put my own feelings about this terrible incident into words. I still am – as I sit here choking back tears. Thank you, thank you thank you. Let this be a turning point.

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    1. Thank you friend. It is truly so gut wrenching. I pray it is a turning point as well. Stay well my friend. Hugs and love xox

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  35. Sadly, George Floyd will be used as another piece of mass media propaganda and not honored/respected for his untimely death. May he rest in peace. It’s heartbreaking to see this man pass the way that he did and may God guide him to heaven. What will be even more heartbreaking is seeing how the Mass Media uses this tragic event as another chess piece to paint both cops and the African American Community with the the big bold brush of division.

    I truly do hope there are more people like those in your comment feed praying for George Floyd, Beauty. May God bless us and guide us in these times the world is in and may God bless George Floyd.

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  36. Yeah. This one is so awful. I don’t even know how to think about it. Thanks for a thoughtful response!

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    1. I know it hard to even fathom that something this evil could happen. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs and love xox

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  37. I saw this on Facebook (surprisingly it was not one of the many videos they had taken down) it made me sick. The comment from the Chinese officer standing by “don’t do drugs” just really said it all for me! I’m glad you covered this in a blog, these officers should be brought to justice as they are not above the law.

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    1. The whole situation was just unconscionably tragic. Thanks for taking the time to read. Hugs and love xox

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  38. I love this line regarding police officers, “There are outliers that do not accurately represent the overwhelming majority, and yet make the biggest “splash,” therefore coloring the opinion of the masses.”
    So sad that there has to be a bad apple among the spectacular. Godspeed George Floyd. So sorry this was done to you.

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    1. Distressing indeed. It is truly heart breaking. May George Floyd Rest In Peace. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs and love xox

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  40. You’re right when you say that this police officer is not all police officers.
    Unfortunately, though, it can be a symptom of an attitude of mind held by a majority, either locally, or state-wide – or even nationally.
    Several decades ago in the UK, we had a famous case which highlighted the risk of racism in the police – the Stephen Lawrence affair. We had a judicial enquiry which concluded that our police were ‘institutionally racist’ – that is to say, across the force, irrespective of good apples and bad apples, there was an attitude that viewed BAME people as less important than whites.
    Since then, lessons have been learned. We are better, although still far from perfect.
    It’s a huge and very important area for Christian repentance and intervention – I love the way you’ve expressed that in your post – all the more so as political matters seem to be moving towards a greater persecution of minorities. We are all going to have to stand up and be counted, I think.
    Love
    Penny
    xx

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    1. Thank you Penny for sharing your heart on this. I love your last line – that is so true. I’m so sorry to hear that happened in the Uk too. Something must be done. Hugs and love xox

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  41. Beautifully written, Caralyn. You most certainly did add something of value to the conversation. This is one of most horrific instances I have seen of man’s inhumanity to man.

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  42. It is nice to say that you are this (I’m a Christian) or you are that (I’m for racial equality); however, if your actions don’t match your words then the words are meaningless. Too many want to talk about a grand scheme, i.e., government should do this or an organization should do that. Sorry, it begins in your small world. If you don’t put your words into actions, nothing will ever change.

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    1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. that’s true: actions speak louder than words. Hugs and love xox

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    1. Thank you Courtney, you’re so right – now is not the time to say nothing. We must speak out against injustice. Hugs and love xox

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  44. ON THE COSMIC JOKE

    ◇ – Diamond Hard – ◇

    ◇ While There is LOTS!!! of NASTINESS AND FOOLISHNESS!!! Going On Out There, There is also One Heck of A LOT!!! of Ass Controlling Propaganda and Joy; so ALL YOU!!! Have to Ask of YOURSELF!!! is “What Can I Do 🤔 ?” Humour Helps; so if YOU!!! ARE AN ‘ALL So Serious’ that YOU!!! Don’t Like Our Sense of Humour then Tell Us so We May Laugh At YOU!!! until YOU!!! Laugh with Us 🤣😅😆😁😄😃😀😂🙂 🙃😉😊😇🥰😍 🤩

    nisi mortuus nec neque nolite vicit

    ◇ – Diamond Hard – ◇

    …◇◇◇…

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  45. I know everyone and his grandmother are tweeting and posting about this incident with the relevant hashtags, etc., but I won’t. Because it would be giving a voice to something even more insidious – A double standard on the part of society and the media, that has been going completely unnoticed, unchecked and guess what.. no one is willing to say anything about it. I know are quite a few cases of unquestionable Police brutality. George Floyd’s case is certainly one. Those officers should be arrested and go to jail for murder. That is a fact. No one should deny that..
    But before you start joining hands with the BLM, you need to see this. This is something that the mainstream media nor the Democratic party want you to know.

    There you go.. a former black cop, telling you the truth about such things.

    Here are more videos that you need to see.

    Now you heard me say Double standard.
    I would like to know, where was the media when a black man was cursing and swearing at an Asian man in a subway train. The video went around and nothing was done about it. People on the train didn’t go anything. Where was the media when Black teenagers, attacked, robbed and killed an Asian girl on the street. Where were the people posting or tweeting. My Asian friend are the only ones that posted it and guess what, in a matter of a 3 days, it was gone. Nothing was done.
    I highly doubt those people were even brought to justice for fear of a BLM protest and racial comments.

    There’s the double standard. Blacks are able to what they want to others. That is not racist, but anything said or done against them is racism? Sure looks like double standard to me. What do you think?

    If I ever tweet about George, I would be with the #AllLivesMatter

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    1. Thank you for sharing this powerful perspective. All humans deserve dignity and respect – no matter of skin color, race or background. There is no world where treating another person in such a way is ever okay. Hugs and love xox

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      1. Well.. I’m sorry if my views does not seem to share the idea that George was indeed murdered. I honestly do believe he deserves justice. But now I see people rioting in the streets, Looting… a picture was taken of people crashing into a Louis Vuitton store and taking stuff. Yeah right.. Nothing screams “justice” like designer bags.

        This is way out of hand. All they are doing is taking advantage of an innocent man’s death and the media is helping them because it makes for great ratings.

        Frankly I’m just tired of opening my Facebook, news, etc., and seeing this propaganda thrown in my face that Black people are the victims. The only victims. No one else is a victim. Frankly.. black people are the victims by choice. They choose to play the victim and race card. Especially when things don’t go their way. Don’t believe me?..
        Here is a black man laying it out straight….

        This needs to be shared. But frankly the Democratic party does not want people to know this because, they created this situation in the black community.

        I don’t know if I shared this before. My colleague went to NYC last year with her daughter on a girl’s trip. They had planned it to be amazing. She came back completely disgusted. She was a tourist and she said that she and her daughter were constantly being taunted and harassed by groups of young black men every where they went.
        Phrases were being yelled to her 21 year old daughter across streets like, “Oh look here.. a white girl with a Kardashian butt. Come here darling.. I bet you never had a black man behind you.”
        When they just ignore them and walk away, “Oh.. you’re racist. Don’t like black men?”.. My colleague just replied, “We just don’t like being spoken to in that way. Get some manners.”
        The real nail in the coffin for NYC was when a restaurant they were eating at was robbed at gun point – by a group of black men.

        This is what I am talking about.

        Where were the protests, the riots, the calls of Police brutality when this man was killed. Did not he deserve justice as much as George did?

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    1. you’re so right Lesley – incredibly incredibly tragic. I appreciate you stopping by. Hugs and love xox

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  48. Thanks for your thoughts. I, too, tried to express mine in “The Day I Matter(ed).” The point I am making is that one small gesture is all it takes to recognize that someone matters. In this case, the one small gesture is removing his knee when Mr. Floyd begged for air! George Floyd mattered!

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    1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. I look forward to reading your piece. Yes George Floyd did! Hugs and love xox

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    1. Thank you Lizzy, yes it is so incredibly tragic and gut wrenching. Lord, have mercy and help us. Hugs and love xox

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  50. Thank you for this post. It’s been a rough season for me with many deaths and this was heartbreaking to watch unfold. It is my fear as a black mother to a black son. Yes, there are bad officers, but honestly there needs to be reform by which officers can be prosecuted for the crimes they commit. I don’t think all officers are bad, but I know that those that are good if they don’t speak out against the bad then they are oppressing us too. I know that if my son walks down the street with my girlfriend’s son who is white with blue eyes and blond hair he will be looked at as a threat and my friend’s son won’t. And that scares me. We have to talk race. You can’t say you don’t hear us when we talk about police brutality. You see it. This isn’t an isolated incident. It’s just one that was caught on video. We are exhausted. We need more people willing to say something like Mayor Jacob Frey. The time is now.

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    1. Thank you TIkeetha for sharing your story. I wish i could give you a hug right now. You’re right – there needs to be reform in the system for sure. And amen – the time is now. right now. not a moment longer can this injustice be allowed. We need to root it out from the core. Hugs and love xox

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