I can't Breathe - Examining the Death of George Floyd and the Ongoing Protests Through A Sociological Lens

in Project HOPE4 years ago (edited)

"I can't breathe," George Floyd pleaded in anguish and pain as Derek Chauvin, a white police officer in Minneapolis, kneeled on his neck for almost ten minutes on the 25th of May 2020 while three of his colleagues watchful on in complete amusement. George Floyd went unconscious afterwards and would later be declared dead moments later. Therefore, it is not surprising that his death has sparked public outrage worldwide, with violent protests specifically erupting against racial discrimination in different states across America.
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Apart from the fact that America has a history of black subjugation and what many commentators have referred to as systemic racism, the ongoing protests and demonstrations can only be understood in the context of the present social milieu in America. Even the death of George Floyd, many blacks believe, is symbolic of the burden of being black in the present day American society. Like George had his neck beneath the knee of Derek, the black man in today's America, it would sadly seem, is constantly beneath the knee of an unjust system that constantly suffocate, oppress, and deprive it from living freely.

The situation becomes even more delicate when we follow the media narrative in Trump-led America where racial divisions and tensions have seemingly peaked. It then becomes very convenient to ascribe the mistreatment of a black man by a white man as systemic racism. Contrarily, the reactions of the public could have been very different had the same gloomy scenarios played out under the leadership of former president Barrack Obama. Indeed, perceptions cannot be historically isolated from the analysis of collective behaviour, especially as it is unfolding in America today.


Video capturing the killing of Ahmaud Arbery


But even if we ignore the role of perceptions in fuelling the ongoing anti-racial protests in America, we can not ignore the sharp similarities between the Georgia shooting of Ahmaud Arbery by a white man and his son on the 23rd of February 2020 and the most recent killing of George Floyd. Both men were needlessly killed even though they clearly had no capacity to cause harm at the untoward moment of their death. Ahmaud was joggling unarmed while George had his hands already cuffed behind his back. Therefore, the general assumption was that both men would have lived if they were whites - hence the public outrage.

So far, the protests have witnessed pockets of violence and lootings that have already forced twelve states as at press time to activate the national guards to avert the complete breakdown of law and order. Interestingly, the protesters consist not only of blacks but thousands of whites who also believe in a fair and just society.

But the pattern and manner in which the protests are being executed, especially in places where violence and lootings have erupted, suggests that the name of George Floyd is not just an umbrella for those rallying for a more equitable society for the people of colour but thousands of people, blacks and whites alike, who are already frustrated with the hardship resulting from the pandemic, that is, unemployment and drudgery. Today, it can not be a mere coincidence that America now accounts for about one-third of the total deaths from COVID-19 and over 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits since March.


Who was George Floyd?


Frankly, it is really a harsh time in history to be alive for millions Americans who have lost their means of livelihood and find themselves occupying the hottest part of the kitchen of the novel coronavirus. And with black communities being the worst casualty of COVID-19 in New York, the epicentre of the virus in the United States, the burden of being back in the United States has never become heavier and exhausting than it is presently. From a sociological lens, the frustrated people in the system who are victims of the pandemic are also on the streets and will continue to show solidarity because by so doing they indirectly protest their own frustrations.

America under president Trump must therefore be very careful and vigilant to not allow the protests to be hijacked by unscrupulous elements who may want to profit from the social climate of the time to fan the embers of chaos and violence. This is not the time to allude to the racist words of the 1967 Boston police Chief who declared that, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. This is a time to address racial injustices, preach racial unity, and return the economy to normal as soon as possible to thwart the plans of the detractors.

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Great writing...It is true that the unrest is very much related to the economic situation. I just wrote something on the same topic but from a different perspective. :)

I just dropped a comment on your nice post. I think something needs to be done really fast about this global situation of things.

The protests for him to get justice has so far been really amazing. I like the fact that the whole world are coming out for the late Floyd really, but you know Minneapolis has been known for its history of killing black Americans

Yea you're right. Minneapolis has had history of black brutality in the hands of police. The policing unit needs urgent reform, otherwise a resurgence of these protests will erupt in the future.

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Total outrage. It's not fair. It is murder. It is sad to see such things. This is what happens in Venezuela, always to the worst.

I agree that it is murder. Good to know that it is now a 2nd degree murder. Thanks for your comment, friend.

It is so sad to see such a grave eruption of racial segregation in America that has led to the unfair murder of my fellow Blacks in Minneapolis. This is a very sensitive case that should be handled with extra care by the Trump administration. I don't like the fact Some people who are Trump haters are now utilizing the situation to steal and destroy lots of other innocent Americans' properties.

Since America believes in God. As per the moto "In God, we trust" Its high time for believers in America to go on their knees and Pray to the God of peace to restore sanity in the nation.

Great write-up @gandhibaba. Thanks so much for putting all this together.

This is a very sensitive case that should be handled with extra care by the Trump administration.

I very much agree with you on this. The Trump administration should take extra precautions in handling this protests and escalations raging over America. How he handles it will largely affect how quickly the protests will stop. Also, the looters and vandalizers should be come hard upon.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 4 years ago  

Hi buddy

It's definetly sad time for many :(

Yours, Piotr

It is a sad time ... really sad .. i just wonder where we are going to with this

It's specifically a sad time for those wearing the garment of a black skin. I'm glad that the world is standing up against racial prejudices and biases and sentiments. For too long, blacks have been enslaved and continue to remain in chains even though Europe was built with the sweat and blood of Africans, even though Africans civilized Europe and built the first university in Morocco in 895 CE.

Thanks for stopping by!

It is a news that has sincerely left me shocked, it is not the same to know that these things happen to see a video of someone's death, and the most frustrating thing is that no one does anything, having people around seems to me a horrible thing that people do not even come to see what is happening, because they do, ask for justice but do not lower the aggression and violence. The United States has always been a racist country, that's the reality and I doubt very much that what is happening will change things!

I hope justice prevails, the recent brutality can't be ignored any longer.
Rip Mr Floyd.

Tough times. 2020 have had so many turns. It’s quite sad there are still issues of racism in this generation.

Very good read.

Anytime I read anything about racism, i just feel sad and displeased.
George Floyd's story is not an exception. The social view is actually what is happening. Many blacks are being laid off.
People are losing their minds to this lock down.

My question remains this, why does the white man feel more superior than the black man?
When will the black man do things that can make them superior?

I hope justice is well served. The world is crying for his justice

I hope so too. Cheers!

Superb article ! I know this topic is sensitive but It is necessary to speak. Most of the people not support discrimination and this is what make me feel glad. There are 1% people everywhere who believe in this nonsense thing. whole world is against this brutality that happened with Floyd.

Thanks for your comment. I agree with you that the vast majority of the people are nice and great people. The major issue isn't individual racism but the system racism. Let's hope that this new protests will herald a new life for the black man. Cheers!