Our Marathon Continues

On Monday 25th May 2020, George Perry Floyd Jnr, an African American, was murdered by Police during an arrest in Minneapolis Minnesota in the United States of America.

What led to this Murder?

The Police were called to convenience store ‘Cup Foods’, where it was alleged that George had used a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill at the store to pay for cigarettes. The person who made the call also stated that George was ‘awfully drunk and not in control of himself’.

Whilst it has not been proven that George did use a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill, Security Cameras for ‘Dragon Wok’ restaurant, located across the road from Cup Foods, show that George was not ‘not in control of himself and seemed not to be awfully drunk’. Instead, the footage from the camera show that George was not resisting arrest, was not armed and replied in a respectful manner, complying to the Police Officers requests.

So how did things get so ugly?

From the Security Camera, it can be seen that having been handcuffed, George is led to the Police vehicle parked outside of Cup Foods. He goes in through one door and somehow ends up out of the opposite door and then on to the ground. It is hoped that evidence will be obtained from the ‘Body Cams’ worn by the Officers, to provide details as to the sequence of events that led to George ending up face down on the floor, still handcuffed with his hands behind his back.

A few people in the area, begin to film what is happening but are soon warned by the Officers to stop, but Darnella Frazier, a 17 year old High School Junior, captures what is taking place, stating that ‘she saw the Police doing something she felt she had to document’.

Little did she know, that documenting this public murder would be crucial evidence in bringing charges against the Police and also help to launch a Worldwide Movement.

Darnella Frazier (Left), George Perry Floyd Jnr (Right) — **Darnella Frazier** (Left), **George Perry Floyd Jnr** (Right)

From the video you can clearly hear George pleading these words “I can’t breathe man, please…Please the knee in my neck…Mama….Mama…I cannot breathe…I cannot breathe…” It has been calculated that George said the words “I can’t breathe”, at least 16 times in less than 5 minutes.

The ‘knee on George’s neck’ was that of Officer Derek Chauvin. As he pressed his knee down onto George’s neck, the footage show that his hands are casually in his pocket and he is looking down at George, unphased and unconcerned about Georges pleas. From one human being to another, there are no signs of compassion and no signs of mercy. Inhumane.

Officer Derek Chauvin kept his knee on George’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.

Even when George became unconscious, Derek kept his knee on George’s neck.

There were three other Police Officers at the scene, and there seems to be no clear evidence to suggest that any of them sought to check George’s pulse or try to resuscitate him, even when concerns where raised by the members of the public.

Officer Derek Chauvin removed his knee 1 minute after the Emergency Medical Technicians arrive, who tell him to move so that they can tend to George and place George’s body in to the Ambulance.

On their way to the Hospital, George goes into Cardiac arrest and is pronounced dead at the Hospital.

George Perry Floyd Jnr, a Black Man, was killed by Officer Derek Chauvin, a White Man placed in a position of authority and power, to ‘protect and serve’ his community.

George Perry Floyd Jnr, a Black Man, was killed by Officer Derek Chauvin, a White Man.

Cause of death?

Mechanical Asphyxia, neck compression restricting blood flow to the brain, and back compression restricting breathing.

Question, did this Black Man loose his life over the alleged offense of paying for goods with a counterfeit twenty dollar bill or was his life taken by a White Man, a Police Officer abusing his position and power to emasculate this Black Man?

Now, no one seems to be talking about the counterfeit twenty-dollar bill (and rightly so). The story that has been captured clearly shows a blatant act of Racism.

Google defines Racism as prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.

Wikipedia add that Racism is the belief that groups of humans possess different behavioural traits corresponding to physical appearance and can be divided based on the superiority of one race over another.

George’s life was taken by Officer Derek Chauvin, who directed his antagonistic hostile behaviour toward George because he was an African American, a Black Man (from an ethnic group).

The Uprising A Worldwide Movement

George’s untimely death, his murder, has caused people all over the world, along with George’s Family, to feel real pain, hurt, anger, frustration, and loss; and in response there is an ‘Uprising’ of unified Voices from every race, amplified calling for and demanding ‘Justice for George’.

As a result, all four Police Officers have been sacked and charged with the killing of George.

Officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with second degree murder. He was initially charged with third degree murder and second-degree manslaughter (it is said that he will still face these charges).

Officer Tou Thao has been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.

Officer Thomas Lane, who started to work with the force just four days prior to George’s death, has been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.

(Left to Right), Officer Officer Derek Chauvin, Officer J Alexander Kueng, Officer Thomas Lane and Officer Tou Thao — (Left to Right), **Officer Officer Derek Chauvin, Officer J Alexander Kueng, Officer Thomas Lane and Officer Tou Thao**

Officer J Alexander Kueng, who joined Minneapolis Police Department in February 2019, has been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.

In addition to this call for ‘Justice for George’, the Uprising has sparked a revolution, calling for and demanding an overhaul and change to Police Departments, their systems and policies that have been consciously or subconsciously designed to oppress Black Lives, but yet protect those Officers who clearly demonstrate racism, almost normalizing this behaviour until it is caught on camera.

The Uprising also stems from many Black people who have experienced racism, who after witnessing what happened to George, are reliving painful memories that have been awakened and evoked, causing them to no longer internalise and ‘keep silent’ about the ‘covert’ racism that had been disregarded, and regarded as ‘Black people having a chip on their shoulder’, playing the victim.

This Uprising has unapologetically unleashed a Worldwide call for Justice and Equality for Black Lives because Black Lives Matter.

We MATTER because we are HUMAN too, we are SIGNIFICANT, we are IMPORTANT, we COUNT!

Too many times we are counted out as soon we are seen.

On the 28th August 1963, Dr Martin Luther King Jnr said “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character”.

Now whilst we have made progress in this area, as a nation, we still have a way to go.

I’ve titled this Blog, ‘Our Marathon Continues’ because Racism toward Black people is nothing new. It began with Slavery where African people were captured from Central and West Africa and transported to various countries including America and Britain to be sold into slavery to work on coffee, tobacco, cocoa, sugar, and cotton plantations, gold and silver mines, rice fields, the construction industry, cutting timber for ships, in skilled labour, and as domestic servants.

Here we see evidence of white superiority from White slave owners over their Black slaves.

It can be seen, that ‘Our Marathon Continues’ in the 1950s and 1960s, as Civil Rights Activists and Protestors came together to strategize, plan and make every effort towards securing ‘equal rights’ for Black Americans. But along with progress, came resistance.

(Left to Right) Dr Martin Luther King Jnr, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X — (Left to Right) **Dr Martin Luther King Jnr, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X**

It can be seen, that ‘Our Marathon Continues’, in the 1960s where it was not uncommon to see signs that read “No irish, no blacks, no dogs”, in the UK; but this and other forms of discrimination were on course for change, as our own Civil Rights Activists courageously took a stand to challenge the racism experienced by our Black community, inspired by our fellow Black Americans. But again, along with progress, came resistance.

One would think that with the British Government inviting immigrants from certain Caribbean Countries such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, from 1948 – 1971, to become part of the ‘labour force’ helping to rebuild the Country due to the destruction caused in World War II, that those Black people and their families would receive ‘equality and justice’. But this Windrush Generation continue to sit in limbo, waiting for their Citizenship to acknowledged by way of receiving their British Passport, a sincere apology and Compensation, and may I add, a BIG Thank You for taking the bold step of leaving their familiar surroundings to come to a Country they believed they could call home….and so ‘Our Marathon Continues’.

Fast forward to present day, where people are using their Voices, their Platform, their Power, on Social Media. at outdoor Protests, and at certain meetings calling for change, and you will see that ‘Our Marathon Continues’. Will we ever cross the finish line?

Will we ever cross the finish line?

In a short video clip, we see and hear 6-year-old Gianna Floyd say “Daddy changed the World”. I choose to believe that George’s death has become a catalyst for unprecedented change that will have a great impact on the trajectory and narrative for Black Lives across the World.

The day after George’s funeral, his Brother Philonise Floyd, addressed the United States Congress, asking them to “stop the pain” so that his Brother won’t be just “another name’ on a growing list of those killed by the Police”. During his speech to the House Judiciary Committee Philonise stated “The people elected you to speak for them, to make positive change. George’s name means something…It is on you to make sure his death isn’t in vain”.

As ‘Our Marathon Continues’, what change do you want to see become a reality in ‘your World’ in relation to ‘Equality and Justice for Black People’. Your World may consist of ‘your school, your college, your university, your place of work, your place of worship, your family, your community and so on…the World that you engage with on a personal level.

Once you have gathered your thoughts about the changes you would like to see, ask yourself if there is any research you need to do in order to help prepare and present your case for change. Also, consider as to whether you need anyone to support you to make your presentation; and when you are ready, take your stand and follow up on the outcome.

For some, you may want to advocate for change on a National or International Level. If that is you, prepare yourself, because the doors of opportunity may open up to you, to represent us ALL in places of influence.

With that in mind, know that progress and change happen slowly; so be patient, undiscouraged and resolute, as you wait to see the change become a reality. And as you wait, keep on living, keep on thriving, keep on breathing whilst ‘Our Marathon Continues’.

About Me:

My name is Judith AM Denton and I am the CEO and Founder of a Social Enterprise, a powerful Speaker and an authentic Author.

Also an Influencer, I am a member of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenhams’ Fostering Panel, providing independent oversight of the Recruitment, Assessment and Review of Foster Carers and making recommendations on their suitability to Foster, along with being an Ambassador within The National Youth Ambassadors Advisory Group for the National Independent Reviewing Officer Managers Partnership, raising awareness and challenging stigma in order to make life in Care better for everyone.

I’m also a member of the Young Women’s Justice Project Strategic Advisory Group. brought together by Agenda, the alliance for women and girls at risk in partnership with Standing Committee for Youth Justice, to improve policy and practice for young adult women (aged 17 – 25) who come into contact with the Criminal Justice System.

From my experience of becoming an Entrepreneur, I believe that there are people who have the desire to become an Entrepreneur, but are unsure as to ‘why’ or ‘how’.

To help them on this road of self-discovery, I openly share detailed information, with valuable lessons learnt from my journey, on how to step out of your comfort zone and become a ‘purpose driven’ Entrepreneur, realizing your potential and passionately achieving your goals and this I do through my Monthly Blogs and Inspiring Guides which you can SUBSCRIBE to receive here.

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