Floyd's Death is the PG Version of Racial Violence in America

Today I am not optimistic.  I am not hopeful.  I am fearful, angry and need to shout - Burn Baby Burn.  Don't be hoodwinked, bamboozled, or conned.  Don't fall for the okidok.  While we are all rightly moved and horrified by the slow, shameful and disgusting televised murder of Mr. Floyd, his death was the PG version of racial violence in America.  It was the version of murder that any parent would not want their adolescent child to witness because they might not fully understand what happened or why.  Parental guidance is needed after viewing.  The truth in many cities is far more grislily than what we see on the video of Mr. Floyd's video.  I am not here to tear down the police.  They are an extension of the people in power that they represent.  The running race battles that regularly occurred in various neighborhoods across America in the past have been distilled and concentrated into potent acts of empowered citizens acting as police agents (think Travon Martin and Ahmaud Arbery) and the militaristic training of our rural and metropolitan polices forces.  The history of this country is clear,, without a multi-pronged approach that includes negative economic consequences to wealthy individuals and corporate entities there will be no long term, definitive change in systemic racism in America. 

The image of the death mask of Emmett Till is shocking and horrific.  Each time a Black man or woman is stopped and questioned in the streets of America there is a real possibility of a shocking and horrific experience that may end like the murder of Emmett Till or George Floyd.  X-rated or PG - bruised, scarred, beaten and killed, the end is the same.

I want to be optimistic and hopeful but until most white people decide to change their mind about how they view the Black person in front of them we have to keep pressure on the systemic structures of American society.  So I say to the young in age and the young at heart whose optimism is growing because there appears to be dialogue and allies emerging to defend our cause - Don't be hoodwinked, bamboozled, or conned.  Don't fall for the okidok.  This is America.  Power only understands and responds to power.  We need a multi-pronged approach that includes a sustained negative economic impact to the wealthy individuals' and corporate entities' bottom line.