My initial thoughts when I heard what happened to George Floyd?  I just felt incredibly horrible, that another Black person has lost their life to police brutality. 

 To prevent this, I believe that there should be a law stating that there cannot be any wrongful deaths by those enforcing the law (if there aren’t any laws stating that now.)  If there is a wrongful death like George Floyd’s, there should be a law, stating that the community can vote to decide what happens as a consequence. Like an election, the citizens of the U.S. would get to decide what will happen. 

I know that many social media platforms have been showing all of the protests.  They are also discussing the impact of police brutality and other forms of racism.  I haven’t talked 1 on 1 with all of my friends, but I know that they are posting a lot on social media about what is occurring, and expressing how they feel horrible about what has happened to George Floyd.  One thing that I really hate, is that those who died because of police brutality had lives, and they lost their life for no reason.  

Those who lost their lives had families. 

Those who lost their lives had friends.

Those who lost their lives had a life they were living.  

Their lives mattered.

I don’t understand whatsoever why people don’t get that.  They need to imagine that it was their brother, their father, their child who lost their lives because someone had a knee on their neck for 8 minutes.

As individuals, we have to speak up about this discrimination.  We cannot stay quiet.  TOGETHER, we can protest, and TOGETHER we must try to stop any racial injustice when we see it.  

While we all may not be able to protest and create change regarding the way police and the community treat African-Americans, we can all help.  Other types of racism can be expressed by stereotypes, bias, and rude remarks.  Anyone can always stand up to those who express prejudice.  If you see something that you know is wrong, you have an obligation to say “That’s racist. Don’t say that again,” and explain your thinking. 

TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!