A Cry For Change
Reflections On BLM, And Hopes For A United America
By Penfield W. Tate III
For the GPHN
It’s been little more than a year since the murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department. The brave young woman who recorded the killing for nine minutes on her phone for the whole world to see made the reality in America undeniable.
Floyd’s murder sparked a national wave of outrage and an international wave of questioning what is happening in America. Protest punctuated by signs and slogans of “Black Lives Matter” and “Defund the Police” filled the air. From coast to coast and border to border the protests covered the nation and even rose around the globe.
Denver was no exception. We saw protests downtown at the Capitol and scattered around the community. People marching, chanting and waving signs at passing motorists. Most were peaceful, though there were also troublemakers. The fact is that people of all races, creeds and colors, and all ages joined together to protest the inequities in our society. While the repeated incidents of the murder of unarmed Black Americans overwhelmed our national psyche.
The conviction of Floyd’s killer, a surprise to many, simply amplified the cry for systemic change. Kids asked their parents and other adults questions that had never been asked before. For many, it was a time of reflection and questioning of the values upon which our society was based. Even more saw Floyd’s murder, and the murder of other unarmed Black Americans as a call to arms to change policing in this country and to make a more equitable society.
As a nation we have tried to come together. But the divisive influences in our political life continue to make it difficult. As exemplified by the former president who continues to spew lies about his having won the last election and — even more bizarrely — claiming he will be reinstated to the office of President next month, we remain a nation divided.
As I reported previously, record numbers of states have passed legislation limiting access to the ballot in the false name of these lies and election security. Their true goal is to frustrate or prevent people of color from voting and to cling desperately to political power. They will ultimately fail. America is changing and they need to get on board with that fact.
I believe we’ve all become more thoughtful and contemplative during this time. The pandemic has given us plenty of time, sitting in our homes, watching what is happening around us and reflecting. It is not easy to watch a nine-minute video of a police officer nonchalantly choking the life out of a man whose only crime was allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill. The consequence for counterfeiting has never been the death penalty.
Just as the penalty for minding your own business in your home while police raid and shoot up the wrong apartment, as happened with last year’s killing of Breonna Taylor, is not execution by firing squad. It is these inexplicable situations that have Americans outraged. These are the things that Americans want to see changed.
I appreciate the fact that this newspaper allows us to point out our shortcomings as a nation while we also express messages of hope, inclusion, solidarity, and a united America. I hope we all have a great 4th of July weekend.