Steep Thoughts

George Floyd and White Entitlement

In last week’s blog, I revealed that this blog will focus on content with a message. A lot has happened since the last post. On Monday, as the nation celebrated Memorial Day, a 46- year-old Black male named George Floyd died while after a White police officer placed his knee on his neck to pin him down. In a video capturing the event, Floyd could be heard saying, “I can’t breathe” over and over and over again. Three other officers stood by and remained silent, even as bystanders begged the officer to listen to Floyd’s pleas for his life. After five long minutes, he went limp. He later died at the hospital. George Floyd’s senseless death has sent shockwaves throughout this country this week. Here is another horrific incident of a human being who was killed at the hands of those are supposed to protect us.

When this story broke, I was still closely following the story of Ahmand Arbery, a young black jogger who was killed by a White father and son who thought that he was responsible for a string of burglaries in their neighborhood.  It took almost three months for arrests in this case.  The arrests  came only after a video shared on social media sparked outrage. 

The men responsible for these deaths must be tried as murderers.  But they are a representation of not just ignorance, but white entitlement.   

IT IS PRESIDENT TRUMP’S RACIST RHETORIC TOWARDS TOWARD PEOPLE OF COLOR THAT CONTINUES TO FEED THIS ENTITLEMENT. 

Look at President Trump’s tweet from this past Friday in reference to the predominantly Black protestors in Minneapolis:

….These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020

This tweet was flagged by Twitter for glorifying violence. 

Now compare this to what he said about the White supremacists and Neo-Nazi’s chanting racist and antisemitic slogans, carrying weapons in the Charlottesville, VA rally in 2017. 

Trump told reporters, “I think there is blame on both sides…you had some very bad people in that group, but you also had people that were very fine people, on both sides”.

 One of those self-identified White Supremacist took his car and mowed down counter-protesters; killing a young a woman. 

Lastly, compare this to what he said about the predominately White protestors in Michigan at the end of April.  Demonstrators came to the Michigan State Capitol to protest the “Stay at Home Order” by Governor Whitmer.  These protestors were predominantly White, some of them carrying assault-style weapons.  Speakers at the event stated that Whitmer’s “Stay At Home Order” violated their constitutional rights. 

The Governor of Michigan should give a little, and put out the fire. These are very good people, but they are angry. They want their lives back again, safely! See them, talk to them, make a deal.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 1, 2020

There is a clear distinction in his choice of words (calling Black protesters in Minneapolis “Thugs” and White protestors in Charlottesville and Michigan “very fine people, very good people”).  He wants them to be safe. 

There is also a clear distinction in his willingness to be understanding and even excusing the behavior.  In the case of Michigan, he states, “but they are angry”.  ANGRY at not being able to work or to shop or get their hair cut.  I am sympathetic to those who are hurting financially right now but this does not even compare to the suffering of George Floyd’s family.  Trump also attempts to convince Governor Whitmer to engage with them, “give them a deal”.  He wants her to give them what they want. 

In the case of the Minneapolis protesters, where demonstrators are protesting a man’s death, he makes threats.  He does not try to engage or ask the local government to listen.  He makes threats of force with the military and threats that people will be shot.  And he perpetuates a racist motto from the 60’s, “when the looting starts, the shooting starts”.  Not once does he mention the anger that has been building over years of racial injustice by entire legal community.  He wants them to be punished.

I am embarrassed and ashamed that our country still treats people differently due only to the color of their skin and that our leader is the biggest bigot of them all. 

Shame on you President Trump.  November is coming. 

Karen

P.S. Our blog finally has a name. It will now be called “Steep Thoughts”. Thanks to my friend Ed Malinowski with Noveltea Gifts for the name suggestion.