Racial Injustice 2020 - by: Maia Albuquerque

 

I can never imagine the intense amount of pain that comes with losing a loved one. I can't even begin to wonder how those families must feel. Especially when their loved ones died because of the color of their skin. African Americans in the United States are 5 times more likely to have been pulled over by police. Some have been lucky and were able to go home for dinner while others didn't get that pleasure. In 2020, there has a multitude of events that have caused a national outcry for change.  Since the event that occurred in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020. An African American man named George Floyd was killed by the police after a store clerk called the authorities possession of counterfeit money. George Floyd was killed by a police officer. The officer held his knee on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds while George Floyd was fighting for his life. This needless murderer is one of the hundreds of African Americans who have lost their lives due to police brutality. when this occurred back in may, protests arose all throughout the world. Protests occurred all over the world including Australia, Germany, South Korea, Canada France, Spain, England, Brazil, Sweden, Kenya, Denmark just to name a few. There has been a movement in the United States known as Black Lives Matter  which advocates for the equality of people of color. There was even a protest here in our hometown, to spread awareness and show we will stand unified against systemic racism. Months have passed since the rise of the protests but recently have restarted. 

A young woman known as Breonna Taylor was a paramedic in Louisville and was killed when police officers raided her home and her boyfriend took out his gun. The police officer was able to enter due to the No Knock Warrant which recently was removed and is know known as Breonna's Law. The protests have started up again because the police officer who murdered Taylor was not charged for it. People nationally have painted murals both Taylor and Floyd along with showing allegiance with the BLM movement.  On October 6 in Louisville Kentucky, hundreds of people have been marching and chanting to get justice for Taylor.  Petitions have been made and signed to assign a new prosecutor in this case. People have been protesting for change, so no other African Americans will be killed because of the color of their skin. No one should ever fear their lives because of their race, ethnicity, or culture. No one should ever be afraid of those you are meant to protect and serve. The black lives matter movement has been extremely controversial. Some argue that it is meant to be a catalyst for change and hope for equality while others think that is just causing more problems. Although some protest has resulted in violence, they all have started due to the racial injustice in this country. While I do not condone violence in any way shape or form, I believe we have a voice therefore it is our right to use it. Civil disobedience and peaceful protest are our rights. It is how change can be made and how certain laws such as the No Knock Warrant will be limited. The exact measure of removing the no-knock warrant was a result of the protests. Meaning that peaceful protests have proven effective in making change.  

We are still fighting the same fight that was started in the abolitionism period. The difference is now we have the technology, through the use of this technology, the news about the murder of George Floyd spread like wildfire. This exactly is what is allowing people to organize protests and get in contact with government representatives that will fight for change. Using the platform of social media allows large masses of people to get the news and educate themselves. Even celebrities are using their platforms to get the message that the American public can't stop demanding change until change is made.  From an indidual level, people can sign petitions to make change along with attending peaceful protests for change. Spreading the word and drawing attention to the issues that are occurring in our nation, can make the world equal for all people regardless of the color of their skin. The color of ones skin shouldn’t make them a target, shouldn’t make them less, shouldn’t make them afraid in their own skin. So, it is in our generations hands to make change so no one ever has to die simply for being black.