George Floyd: Yank Their Feet Off Your Necks
By: Babafemi A. Badejo, Ph.D
Many human beings are rightly condemning the asphyxiation of George Floyd to death over what must have been a painful and agonizing death as he shouted: “I can’t breathe” and called on his dead mum to help out. But Derek Chauvin, the police official (better expression than “officer”, which makes them feel they are on top of people they are to serve), held on with his knees chocking his catch of the day like a leopard would do to a prized gazelle just caught. Derek’s colleagues: J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Kiernan Lane helped restrain Floyd, while Tou Thao stood guard and ensured no interference by bystanders as they all enjoyed the gruesome snuffing of life out of George Floyd that dragged on for 8 minutes, 46 seconds. George Floyd was neither the first nor the last to face the “George Floyd Moment”. In Atlanta, Rayshard Brooks faced it on June 12, 2020 and so did Eric Garner on July 17, 2014. He also had cried: “I can’t breathe” as he got asphyxiated by Daniel Pantaleo in New York.
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2 Comments
Ada Agina-Ude
You rightly noted that Africans are not only constricted in the Diaspora but also at home by our local overlords. In both cases it’s near impossible to yank their knees off our necks because our hands are in handcuffs behind our backs. Dialogue towards legislative and structural changes seems the best option at the moment. However, I’m a believer, and I know that miracles do happen.
Dayo Ige
Beautiful writeup.
Very apt and punchy.
Bringing the real issues to the fore…