Update: Since first writing this publisher's note, Tuesday, June 2, the other officers involved in George Floyd's killing have been arrested and charged with aiding and abetting murder.
When my young daughters are in bed and finally asleep, I sit down to the watch the national news. The video of a white police officer kneeling on George Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes—while he pleads for his life until he dies—makes me sick. It also blows my mind. This is 2020. I thought the world would be better by now. As I write this, I’m waiting for the other three officers to be arrested because they didn’t do anything to prevent George Floyd’s death. They are complicit in a crime, and they shouldn’t be walking free.
A white policeman who took an oath to protect and serve, killed a black man in daylight with other policemen watching.
The anger you are seeing in every state should surprise no one. We have to step up for justice.
We can’t sit on the sidelines and do nothing.
I am outraged, but I will tell you the truth: I don’t know what to do with my anger.
I could shout my outrage at the TV and to my husband, but that doesn’t do anything.
And then I thought: Will the words I say or write even matter? I don’t wake up with fear of bad people in authority because of the color of my skin, so does anyone really care what I have to say on this outrageous crime and the systemic racism in our society?
As a big proponent of personal responsibility, I realized that’s exactly where I could start. I can start by NOT staying silent and NOT being complicit in white silence. I can express my outrage and name what I see. Calling out blatant racism and a corrupt abuse of power matters.
Together we can become a chorus of voices calling for change. We need unity to make an impact and create lasting change.
Systemic racism seems like an insurmountable opponent because it involves every facet of society. How can we change the inherent racism in politics, economics, education, housing, and the criminal justice system? The problem might be overwhelming, but as individuals, we don’t have to be overwhelmed.
There’s so much each of us can do. And when we join forces, we can become a movement of change.
We can call out racism when we see it.
We can start a conversation and take it to our homes, where future generations are formed.
Each of us can make sure there is diversity in the groups we join and the places where we shop and entertain.
We can vote for leaders who don’t actively stoke and promote hate and divisiveness.
We can talk to our kids about the importance of diversity and walk the talk by seeking out diverse environments and schools.
We can use empathy to step outside our own lives and understand others.
We can stop and listen.
We can stop white complacency.
We can immerse our kids in diversity and multicultural messages by traveling, reading and starting thought-provoking conversations.
We can lead by example and show that it’s okay to ask questions, admit when we don’t have all the answers, and have open conversations about difficult topics.
Here are some incredible resources to start that conversation with your children.
Check out this infographic by Prettygooddesign.org
Read some of these books with your children by Embracerace.org
Use these resources by the National Education Association, Black Lives Matter at school.
The American Academy of Pediatrics condemns racism, offers advice for Families for How to Talk to their Children
In the minutes before George Floyd died, he begged for his life. No one helped him. George Floyd’s brother Terrence asked for: Anger that leads to change.
Yes.
Let’s not look away or stay silent.
Let’s start a conversation.
Let’s use our anger to spark real change.
Adults: Text FLOYD to 55156 to demand all four officers involved with Floyd's death be charged and arrested. Go to blacklivesmatter.com for more resources.
Sandra Bilbray is a nationally published writer, positive human, and publisher of Asheville Macaroni Kid. She lives in Asheville with her husband, twin girls and two dogs.
Email Sandra at SandraB@MacaroniKid.com
