The Murder of George Floyd and the subsequent protests, rioting, and looting.
by Gerard Cassagnol
"I have seen this movie. It is a repeat!"
One nation, under God, with Liberty and Justice for all! No Justice, No peace!
I don't condone violence. And the truth of the matter is that until our white brethren recognize, admit, and join us in finding the remedies for our countries' centuries of violence against Native Americans and African Americans, this saga will only be repeated over and over again.
Our country was founded on violence against Native Americans. Our country was built on violence against African Americans (Slaves). And after the Emancipation of Slaves, violence has sustained and supported "White Preference" for decades.
Its time to write a different ending to this movie.
It's time to have these 'courageous conversations'. It's time for me to say to my White friends that "Yes, within this past decade I have had a White police officer step on my neck, while another fell to his knees into my back, while yet another stepped on my ankle; and all the while I did not resist. [I couldn't believe what was happening.] I was already laying flat down on a wet pavement. The results of which, I suffered an asthma attack. [Thank God that another ( just happened to be black) officer that later arrived on the scene, recognized that I could not breath, sympathized with my condition, retrieved my inhaler from my pocket, and gave me a few puffs.]
20 months later, the case (nightmare) was finally over. Justice was served. Or was it?
I lost my job. I lost my income. I lost my savings, I lost my home. I lost my license. And while I didn't lose my life, thank you God, I lost my whole livelihood.
In a sense, I am "George Floyd". And until all of my white brethren can understand why Black America feels this way, and stop just saying "I am not a racist, I have black friends.", and are not afraid to get involved with the movement for change, this saga will be nothing more than a "repeated movie".
My only hope is that this generation will finally demand real solutions. My hope is that this generation will write a "sequel" that will turn the page on America's history of violence.
God Bless America! And God bless our World! God help America!
And Peace be with you!
One nation, under God, with Liberty and Justice for all! No Justice, No peace!
I don't condone violence. And the truth of the matter is that until our white brethren recognize, admit, and join us in finding the remedies for our countries' centuries of violence against Native Americans and African Americans, this saga will only be repeated over and over again.
Our country was founded on violence against Native Americans. Our country was built on violence against African Americans (Slaves). And after the Emancipation of Slaves, violence has sustained and supported "White Preference" for decades.
Its time to write a different ending to this movie.
It's time to have these 'courageous conversations'. It's time for me to say to my White friends that "Yes, within this past decade I have had a White police officer step on my neck, while another fell to his knees into my back, while yet another stepped on my ankle; and all the while I did not resist. [I couldn't believe what was happening.] I was already laying flat down on a wet pavement. The results of which, I suffered an asthma attack. [Thank God that another ( just happened to be black) officer that later arrived on the scene, recognized that I could not breath, sympathized with my condition, retrieved my inhaler from my pocket, and gave me a few puffs.]
20 months later, the case (nightmare) was finally over. Justice was served. Or was it?
I lost my job. I lost my income. I lost my savings, I lost my home. I lost my license. And while I didn't lose my life, thank you God, I lost my whole livelihood.
In a sense, I am "George Floyd". And until all of my white brethren can understand why Black America feels this way, and stop just saying "I am not a racist, I have black friends.", and are not afraid to get involved with the movement for change, this saga will be nothing more than a "repeated movie".
My only hope is that this generation will finally demand real solutions. My hope is that this generation will write a "sequel" that will turn the page on America's history of violence.
God Bless America! And God bless our World! God help America!
And Peace be with you!
