Yesterday as I watched the third day of the Chauvin trial I had the memory of another trial. In March of 1991 Rodney King was beaten senseless by officers of the LAPD. That beating was caught on video tape. LAPD treated Rodney King like an animal. Eventually 4 officers were charged. The trial was moved to Semi Valley based on a motion for change of venue based on pre-trial publicity. The irony is that Semi Valley was a bedroom community filled with LA police officers.
The case should have been a slam dunk based on the video except it wasn’t. Inspire of leaving the hospital with a broken leg and multiple skull fractures the jury set King’s attackers free.
In the Chauvin trial the victim is once again be put on trial. The victim did not strike any of the officers involved. All four of them walked away unscathed. 9 minutes and 26 seconds of slow agonizing death.
I’m particularly sensitized to the characterizations of George Floyd as a big intimidating figure of a man. I’m George Floyd. I’m 6’4″ and weigh in at 225 pounds. In my life in corporate America I’ve had to minimize my presence to make other people comfortable.
When George Floyd entered that store he had no idea that he was experiencing the last free moments of his life. This circus of a trial can’t end the way that so many others have ended in the past. #GeorgeFloydisNotOnTrial Derek Chauvin is the defendant. George Floyd must be recognized as a human being entitled to justice not just us. The world is watching.
Think!!
Eyes Wide 👀 Open!!!
Agreed. Appalled by the Chauvin trial, watching the Reconstruction doc on PBS with Henry Lewis Gates, Jr. “The dangerous black man” is an old trope that’s been used since slavery and definitely was amplified during Reconstruction to suppress and murder blacks and reinstate white supremacy…which is still with us! Anyway Bill, I’m with you and although my social platform is small, I support you and hope to amplify your voice.
Sheryl Friedman