I, like everyone, was totally sickened watching a Minneapolis police officer named Derek Chauvin murder a black man, by keeping his knee on his neck for 8 minutes, 46 seconds. Three other police officers stood by, as Floyd repeatedly screamed, "I can't breathe."
On May 25, George Floyd died. He was unarmed. His crime: using a $20 counterfeit bill in a store.
Understandable rage quickly ignited across the country. And protests began. And those protests led to riots.
Riots that have forced major cities to set evening curfews.
Riots that have led to violence.
Riots that, here in NYC, have resulted in stores being looted, police cars set on fire, and Soho and Fifth Avenue badly damaged.
I don't understand any of it.
8 3/4 minutes is a very long time. Enough time for a police officer to know that he is slowly killing someone. How could anyone do that?
And how could three officers stand by and just watch? Floyd was unarmed and handcuffed. What was anyone afraid of?
How could Floyd's cries be ignored? Who are these officers who could let this happen?
And why has only Chauvin been charged? And why only with a third-degree murder charge? Why is it taking so long to bring charges against the others?
This exact story has played out too many times, and for far too long.
And still, nothing changes.
I wish the protests would be peaceful? Violence doesn't help. And it shifts the focus from the issues.
I know that what I'm writing is not unique. My thoughts likely mirror those of everyone who is reading this.
But today, I just can't bring myself to write about how great it was to actually spend real time with my friend Shari yesterday on her sister's terrace. Or detail some silly problem with the US Post Office.
The sun is shining here again today. But there is still too much that is clouding our world.
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