“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” -Desmond Tutu

By now, you’ve all probably heard of the name George Floyd. George Floyd was an unarmed African-American man who was mercilessly killed on the 25th of May by a police officer called Derek Chauvin. After George had been pinned to the ground stomach down, hands cuffed behind his back, Derek proceeded to put his knee and full weight on George’s neck. Bystanders took a video of this entire ordeal. In the video, you can hear George plead for his life multiple times saying “I can’t breathe. I want my mama”.

Now, if you are feeling outraged, if you are confused, scared and crying for your brother George Floyd, you’ve taken a single step in the right direction.

Please know that I say brother here very intentionally. For every person of a different race or colour, every black man, woman and child is indeed our family and OUR responsibility as a human race.

Here is how you can help, even from outside the US.

SIGN A PETITION

  • Color of Change’s petition calls on Mayor Frey to block the Minneapolis officers from receiving their pensions and from becoming officers again. It also demands that all four officers involved be brought to justice.
  • Change.org’s petition also demands the officers involved in George’s death to be charged. (this has now become the most signed petition in the history of the website)

Derek Chavin has been arrested for third-degree murder and manslaughter. This is proof that the people have the power. No voice is too small.

DONATE

  • George’s brother, Philonise Floyd, has setup an official memorial fund on GoFundMe to help their family during this dark and difficult time. Please know that be it Dhs10 or Dhs1000, every dirham helps.

As easy as it may sound, educate yourselves about what is truly taking place right now. Learn about the history of people of colour, read about their present, understand their pain and just attempt to sympathise with their trauma. Have those difficult and uncomfortable conversations. Know that no lives matter until BLACK LIVES MATTER.

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I’ve been trying to process what can be said or heard in this moment. I haven’t been able to get the image of the knee on his neck out of my head. It’s there every morning when I rise and when I go through the ordinary duties of the day. While pouring coffee, lacing my shoes, and taking a breath, I think: He doesn’t get to do this. And now the video from the other angle of two other officers pinning him down. My heart sinks even deeper. His family and friends say he was a gentle giant. His death has now shown us he had a giant soul. If the largeness of a soul is determined by its sphere of influence, George Floyd is a Mighty soul. #GeorgeFloyd: We speak your name. But this time we will not let your name be just a hashtag. Your spirit is lifted by the cries of all of us who call for justice in your name!

A post shared by Oprah (@oprah) on May 29, 2020 at 11:23am PDT

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A system cannot fail those it was never designed to protect. Instead of breaking down a system that has been in place for hundreds of years but instead we must stand together to build a new one. We can’t rely on those who continue to murder us, steal our resources, and mentally and physically keep us in cages. Through education, oneness, and support we have the power to create a new reality. If you are white go out of your way to become an ally and help protect P.O.C and Black bodies. Support black businesses, black artwork, and black history. We must speak up when we see wrongdoing. We must put our money back into our local communities. We must learn how to be sustainable. We must learn our true history and the history of others. We must help one another. We must give when we can give. We must take the time to create a revolution inside of ourselves. Together we have the power to create a world that is made to protect us. #nojusticenopeace #blacklivesmatter #blackbodiesmatter

A post shared by Taylor Giavasis (@g1avasis) on May 30, 2020 at 11:48am PDT

It is not enough to remain silent. It is no longer acceptable to not get involved. We do not have the right to stand aside while our brothers and sisters are beaten down, suffocated and killed. Be on the right side of history.

“There comes a time when silence is betrayal.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Remember the name George Floyd.