Skip to main content

Thoughts on George Floyd & Everything Else


I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to say. After all, here we are AGAIN - another young black man killed by the men and women who swore to "protect and serve". We're just mere days away from Ahmaud Arbery and from Breanna Taylor, an example of how rapidly the lives of people of color in this country are snuffed out without any care - without cause.

There are no words, thoughts, or feelings I can relay here in this post that can express what is occurring in our country right now. I'm still attempting to figure out all of the emotions, especially as I wrestle with the idea of one day having to educate and relay this heavy information to my son.

For now, I did want to hit the keyboard, merely for therapy and archiving this moment in time, and share some very quick thoughts on this issue:

- The visual of George Floyd being choked out by a police officer is all-too symbolic and metaphoric of what this country has been for people of color. But again, you know that. We all know that, right?

- For those who haven't looked beyond JUST the riots, the damage, and the focus on the damage of the riots, the situation is deeper and bigger than that. Much more painful, and more heartfelt than that.

- Beware of many who do bad things in the disguise of these protests. Know the difference. Be smart.


- The situation leads me back to this very salient question that arises in race relations/suppression in this country - what is the appropriate state of anger for a sector of people who have been oppressed by a country, built on their backs, for over 450 years?

- And going even further, sometimes isn't it amazing the restraint black people have had to not outright revolt considering the history of this nation?

- For those continuing to ask questions about rioting and destroying a community, I ask you this one question - how else are people of color to get the point across? It wasn't too long ago a young man of color took a knee during football games to raise attention to this very point - and instead, it became a conversation of "patriotism".


- The President's Charlottesville "both sides" moment was one of the biggest turns for me in outright removing any type of support or hope for him as President. Armed white militias defying law enforcement and looking for haircuts is "patriotic" - this situation is full of "THUGS". The President is a clown.

- Will supporters of Trump ever call him out for the stuff he states? Like, ever?

- CNN needs to stop inciting fear. FOX News...just stop.

- Not lost in all of this is a major breakthrough happening - allyship from all types of people, especially that of white people. I believe it began with Central Park Amy and her weaponizing her privilege, but there really are some dope people taking a stand and getting involved by having these necessary discussions among themselves, and with others. For all of the jokes thrown the ways of millennials and Generation Z-ers, it really is a generation that is tired of the bullshit of inequality.

And of course, there are many who have been silent. Said nothing. For those people, you may think to stay neutral is best, but there are many who have indeed taken note. I know I have.

- There are those who are in the fight, are forcing these conversations, are helping others, and are creating avenues for the insight, discussion, and removal of privilege, the attack of systemic racism, and the destruction of other facets that illuminate just how broken our country has always been - keep fighting the fight.

- And finally, don't forget the mothers, fathers, and loved ones who are coping with all of this. They often don't get the attention, but somewhere, the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breanna Taylor, and now, George Floyd are hurting, coping, and getting through this with immense pain.

Recently Read Posts

A Product of Us: Thoughts on Durant Trade

I said back in July when Kevin Durant rocked the NBA world with his trade request, that he "showed us who he was".  It wasn't a negative comment, but one that encompasses his entire career being a product of our current sport climate - success and focus on legacy. We emphasize the value of a career on rings, and thus, Durant has too. Why wouldn't he?!  Upon waking up and realizing that Durant will don the purple and orange for the Phoenix Suns in what is clearly now a team to watch come the NBA Playoffs, I find myself further pondering if Kevin Durant is the prime result of what we - yes, us! - have done to the modern athlete.  Today, Durant is one of the greatest basketball players I've ever seen. EVER. The dude is rare. He's a seven-foot magician which makes defending him even more difficult based on how damn efficient he is on the basketball court. It's downright poetic and beautiful to watch Durant play. And yes, I'm romanticizing his game. I belie

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 3/19/23

3 Up 1. Migrant Help - So much is facing our nation right now. The Migrant crisis is one of them. For me - and again, just me - as I know how easy narratives are to roll right into personal politics these days, you rarely hear about solutions. It wasn't a huge story this week, but it definitely impacted me. We need more of this.  2. College Athletics - From March Madness and so many upsets along with the new landscape of college athletics taking shape, to the NCAA Wrestling Championships - this week was fun. Shout out to Caitlyn Clark who continues to be awesome. Farleigh Dickinson making history. And Matt Ramos gave us the biggest shock of the year - pinning 3-time National Champion, Spencer Lee.  3. World Baseball Classic - People seriously think "no one cares about this tournament". Like, really? The WBC alone is awesome. At the very core of it, I'd take this over Spring Training any year.  3 Down 1. Big Tech Layoffs - Big Tech continues to downsize, with this wee

CM Punk's Return - Perfect Timing for the Symbol of Anti-WWE

Looooooooook in my eyes, what do you see?! The lyrics to Cult of Personality, especially that first bar,  never felt so fitting for CM Punk as it did last night.  For the most part, everything that is CM Punk's return to wrestling last night at AEW Rampage ties directly into my latest thoughts on pro wrestling - the company is making it must-see destination television, an element desperately needed from pro wrestling.  Last night was incredible as again, it was another moment that made wrestling feel alive - with a wild and energetic pulse. It was one of the coolest moments in pro wrestling that you knew was coming, expected, anticipated, and it was everything and more. Again, MUST-SEE television. That's hard to do.  For me, it wasn't just Punk's return to pro wrestling, but the mere presence and voice of his inclusion in today's space. We know that Punk can deliver on the microphone - probably his best and most signature attribute. We also know that yes, he can

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 3/26/23

3 Up 1. Aid Workers Freed - After six years of captivity, an American aid worker who served as a missionary and as a humanitarian aid worker was freed in Niger. The story is one that surely places life in perspective.  2. Shoehei Ohtani - Ohtani sure is fun on the big stage, huh? MLB has one of the most entertaining athletes on the globe. Let's hope they can capitalize on that.  2a. Team Japan - I won't get into the wars of baseball here, but it sure was fun to watch Japan's approach to baseball throughout the tournament. There's a lot to be said about how they play the game, more so, how they teach the game.  2c. World Baseball Classic - Ohtani vs. Trout to end the tournament. You couldn't have drawn up a better script. I completely expect the next one to be just as good.  3. Adam Sandler - Say what you want about Sandler - fan or not - receiving the Mark Twain Prize for his almost-three decades of work is pretty remarkable. I actually had the privilege to meet Sa