The murder of George Floyd

As an empath, usually when someone does something “bad” or commits a crime, I try to understand what they may have been thinking or feeling in order to act the way they did. It’s led me to be able to forgive people for the pain I’ve experienced in my own life.

What I can’t understand, is the murder of George Floyd.

I watched about a minute or two into the video and I had to stop because I knew how it would’ve ended and not only would it have broken my heart more than it has knowing what I already know, but it would’ve fuelled a level of anger in me that would not do any favours or change the reality of the situation.

I have found it extremely hard to find any underlying reasons as to why that police officer had his knee on George Floyd’s neck for that long.

Sitting here and writing how disgraceful or “wrong” it is won’t change anything either.

I’m not African American, nor am I white. But I am human, just like every African American; just like every other white person and just like every other human being.

It’s 2020, and there are several riots due to the fact that human beings are not being treated with the same respect as another human being. Take a minute to actually digest how fucked up that is.

Regardless of what level of the ethnicity spectrum you find yourself in, everyone needs to realise the only way we’re all going to find any peace is to come to the same level of awareness.

What I would actually like to do, is to speak with the ex-officer who decided to murder George Floyd and actually have a conversation. Just to know why. I mean, you had your fucking knee pressing on the poor man for what, 8 minutes? He was begging you to stop. What the fuck was going through your stupid ass, entitled fucking head?

Excuse the language. I have always tried to be someone who seeks to understands why people choose to do what they do, and for the most part, this has enabled me to avoid feelings of anger or hatred toward people. But the fact that you think you can play God, and take a life because you feel ‘entitled’ to? Still? In this day and age? Wake the fuck up.

I mean, it makes sense that riots are happening. I can understand why. But I can’t understand why you found it necessary to put that much force on a man’s neck to the point of death… and since I can’t understand it, can you fucking explain it to me?

But as much anger and hatred as I feel toward his murderer every time I even think of that video, I am a firm believer in God and the universe (not in a religious sense), but I find solace in knowing each circumstance and situation is God trying to teach us something – especially if it’s on a global scale.

People can riot, kick, punch, scream and burn down every building possible – but until we understand the thought patterns and processes of the people who participate in committing these crimes, this whole world will continue to riot, kick, punch, scream and burn down everything until nothing is left of this world with no changes made.

The injustice in this world has been going on for decades; even centuries.

We say enough is enough, but let’s not play dumb and say none of us were aware of these issues. People have been saying enough is enough for decades and there has been no solution.

People are hurting. People are angry. People are fucking sick and tired of begging to be treated fairly.

For people who aren’t white, at some point, we have had to deal with issues of race and religion.

I also understand “white” people cannot empathise with a group of people they haven’t had any experiences with. It is the sad reality, but for many, this is how they have been raised. It’s what they know from what they were taught. So the only way forward is education – education that opens our hearts and teaches our universal interconnectedness.

The past cannot be done. My heart is hurting for everyone involved. We cannot bring back George Floyd or anyone who has died from police brutality or any other form of racial injustice.

The only way forward is if this world comes together to educate and empathise with each other; choosing understanding instead of hatred and hostility.

I know you may be reading this and thinking it’s easy for me to say when I haven’t experienced it myself; and you’re right. I haven’t. I could not fathom the pain and anger I would feel if I were ever to watch a video of something similar happening to someone I loved and cared for. But I acknowledge the hurt, pain and trauma that people of colour have had to endure for several generations, and my heart hurts for them.

I understand the anger. I understand the pain you must feel. I understand the revenge you may want. But I understand underneath it all, all you want is to be treated fairly like you deserve to.

This is one post, and I don’t know how many people will come across it or if it will even make a difference. But if you’re a victim of racial injustice (regardless of where you’re from), I hope you choose to educate and help them understand you. If you’re white, I hope you understand the pain these communities have been feeling for hundreds of years; pain, injustice and oppression you will never have to experience; and I hope you choose to educate your family and friends who may have racist views to look at things differently.

If enough people do that, maybe we can finally find a way forward.

The truth is, we will most likely never find world peace. But we can choose to respond differently, because no matter how angry we are, nothing will ever undo the harm that has already been done or bring back anyone we’ve lost.

Thank you for reading.