The World is in turmoil everywhere you turn. The economy is in shambles half the world away and cost of food is on the rise at home and abroad. Racism is on the rise and putting food on the table is on the agenda of every family around the world. In the meantime, Coronavirus is doing its thing and resurfacing in economies and health centres miles better than ours. It is in this mixed era that a man called George Floyd died and his death sparked what will be considered a revolutionary turn of events.
Where I come from, they would say Floyd has a very strong head on his shoulders, and has a very strong spirit. His death is making America look again at her racial profile and decide where it wants to take its leadership of the world. When a child is born in my place, prayers are offered. May his/her head be strong like a Kolanut. May he/she be counted among us. May he/she bring Joy and glory to his/her fatherland and family. May he/she be prosperous and a blessing. To which a loud Amen will be pronounced by many family members at the naming ceremony.
It is likely that these prayers were said over Floyd as African Americans are known to be deeply spiritual from suffering and from their deep African roots. Who knows what prayers were said over Derek Chauvin, the policeman who has been facing trial for Floyd’s death? That his name will be on the world’s media stage for all the wrong reasons? That he has been convicted of killing a man? That in all of this his family name would be in the doghouse for ever or that the police department in which he served now distances itself from him? Both Floyd and Chauvin are now known worldwide; more Floyd really than Chauvin. But Floyd’s name is now associated with martyrdom and resistance and the racial bigotry in America. His name is now almost synonymous with the big names in the racial struggle, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Rosa Parks among others.
Floyd’s face and name has become iconic, irrespective of his struggle with drugs or his flaws. All heroes are humans first and it is so with all humanity
It is tragic that years after the passing of these historical personalities who fought racism in America and paid dearly, we are still having to deal with Racism in the 21st century, long after Alex Haley’s Roots and the tale of Kunta Kinte. Floyd’s face and name has become iconic, irrespective of his struggle with drugs or his flaws. All heroes are humans first and it is so with all humanity.
Many great men, many men and women of history were first humans before they did extraordinary things. Ordinary men and women doing extra-ordinary things are the ones who have moved the world forward everywhere you go. And in the case of George Floyd, he was quite simply the victim of wickedness, police brutality and racism when he became a hero. By calling for his Momma, by saying he could not breathe, he bestowed on humanity words that will live with us forever. Words that have become symbols of suffocation and unkindness. Words on Marble. While these words were being uttered, Chauvin and his accomplices looked unconcerned and askance as he snuffed the life out of a human being. Difficult to believe. Nine long minutes… Chauvin was unperturbed. With his hands in his pocket, he mounted the pressure. Difficult to watch. What was he thinking? No one will treat even his most horrible dog in that manner. It is truly sad.
I have watched closely the proceedings in court and often wondered what Chauvin is thinking now. He looked a little off as he chose to wave his right to speak. It’s hard enough when you drive off on a leisurely afternoon and knock down a bird. As a child when a bird dies, I would cry for days. Chauvin is beginning to come to terms with the fact that he killed a man. Not a bird, not a dog. Psychologically it is daunting. To know this and face the world’s media.
He is today the symbol of the man who cold bloodedly murdered another man and of racism. It is hard for him and his family. Now that the convictions have come through, I wonder what Chauvin is thinking. The world hopes that overall, this would be a landmark judgement and the threat of police to all black men and women in America will come to an end. What, I wonder is Chauvin thinking today?
