MNA and Nurses Respond to the Killing of George Floyd by Police

[tnbutterfly - Mary]

We have all seen on the news the terrible scene that played out in the streets in Minnesota when George Floyd, an unarmed 46-year-old black male, was arrested by the Minnesota Police for attempted forgery at a convenience store. The action was caught on video as George Floyd, handcuffed and pinned to the ground face down by an officer who pressed with his full weight with his knee on Mr. Floyd's neck for more than 8 minutes. We watched and heard George Floyd crying out that he couldn't breathe. We heard him calling for "Mama". We watched as his body went limp with the officer still holding him down. This will be a scene I shall never forget.

The following are quotes from the Minnesota Nurses Association's response to this heinous crime.

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As nurses, we see the horrific effects of racism in our hospitals and community every day. We cannot remain silent as yet another black man has died at the hands of police...

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George Floyd's last words were "I can't breathe.” George Floyd died shortly after arriving at the hospital."

Nurses jump into action when they hear someone say "I can't breathe", instead of standing there watching them die. Their goal is to save lives, not kill people

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In the case of George Floyd, Minneapolis Police took no care or life-saving measures. Instead, they left him pinned down to the ground until paramedics arrived. Police ignored the pleas of George Floyd and he died.

Nurses care for all patients, regardless of their gender, race, religion or other status. We expect the same from the police. Unfortunately, nurses continue to see the devastating effects of systematic racism and oppression targeting people of color in our communities. We demand justice for George Floyd and a stop to the unnecessary death of black men at the hands of those who should protect them.

As a nurse, or as a compassionate human, how has this horrific event affected you? We have seen protests (some peaceful and some that have erupted into riots), vandalism, looting, and more. What is going on in your community? What actions can nurses take?

Let us stand together and let our voices be heard. Post your comments below.

[Tegridy]

19 minutes ago, toomuchbaloney said:

Police simply need better training, better oversight, less immunity, and less money. Society needs to stop ignoring racism and protecting the feelings of the racists.

They already have trouble recruiting why do you think less money would help the situation? You get what you pay for.

[Tegridy]

On 6/19/2020 at 4:24 AM, Numenor said:

Nothing you posted as anything to do with topic at hand in any context. Appeals to emotions and strawmans will not detract from the facts even if they make you uncomfortable. The fact in 2020 you can point out gaping holes in agenda setting narratives and then get labeled as "x" is comical but also downright dystopian. It's so programmed in your response that you are making outlandish assumptions. These are common tactics from people who lack a cohesive argument or can't handle direct critiques without responding with baseless diatribes.

I have no idea what the point of your last post is even about. You'll say it to my face? Uh okay, is that like a weirdly veiled threat to meet you at the playground after school or something? Sure I will swing by after visiting Mt. Doom and hitching a ride around the islands with my whale pals. Strange.

I agree that police brutality is a problem for everyone and that needs to change. If real police change comes out of this movement then great. Side note: I did read the UMich article you posted about prison disparities ( I ignored the CNN links) and the authors honestly admit that looking at sentencing point blank comes with a host of issues/distorted results which they dutifully report, namely "criminal conduct", past criminal history, aggravating factors and weapons involved. Reading the whole paper gives the reader the idea that the authors are suggesting possible discrepancies but listing a HOST of variables that are not fully explained. Not sure if you read it all the way though but I actually did...Stats to support the facts right?

It’s not even worth the time convincing them with stats. I agree police reform would be great and there is some racism to be stamped out in America but WOW! you can’t just say everything is racist. There are some studies yeah and I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt but the MSM makes it sound worse than it is.

But since I know they can’t be convinced otherwise we should just defund the police. Let people vote on whether or not they want cops in their area. If yes, great. If no GREATER. Save tax payer dollars and let people have what they want. Defund defund defund! If all these copless heavens become gardens of Eden that MSM would have you believe, hell I’lleat my words and join you!

DEFUND

DEFUND

DEFUND

[toomuchbaloney]

27 minutes ago, Tegridy said:

They already have trouble recruiting why do you think less money would help the situation? You get what you pay for.

The evidence shows that police spend too much money on weapons and tools of violence. Police are evidently unable to discern for themselves how much money is needed for essential service delivery. Right now we are paying for too many unaccountable bullies.

[Tegridy]

15 hours ago, toomuchbaloney said:

The evidence shows that police spend too much money on weapons and tools of violence. Police are evidently unable to discern for themselves how much money is needed for essential service delivery. Right now we are paying for too many unaccountable bullies.

Less money for deadly force but higher salary then? You get what you pay for. Would you rather have a 20k cop protecting your neighborhood or a 60k cop, which job is going to attract a better applicant? If you are a nurse you already know the answer to this.

[toomuchbaloney]

3 hours ago, Tegridy said:

Less money for deadly force but higher salary then? You get what you pay for. Would you rather have a 20k cop protecting your neighborhood or a 60k cop, which job is going to attract a better applicant? If you are a nurse you already know the answer to this.

You're the one suggesting that they cut pay of officers...they will attract a better applicant when it is clear that racist authoritarians aren't welcome. Their new educational requirements will help them to attract better candidates. You're not making me afraid.

[cinlou, BSN, MSN, RN]

I know how intimidating it can be to be the new person/rookie. As nurses we watch over other nurses, aides, techs, medical students, residents and Dr's. to be sure our patient's are receiving the best care, and yes I have had to stop a resident and told them to call their attending or I would. It is important to support, but also call out when assistance is needed. When I heard the girl on the cell phone telling them to check his pulse and look at him and tell the other officer to intervene, and she was ignored, and at the same time I am seeing Floyd on the ground all of a sudden stop moving, and as a nurse I am looking at this thinking what are you guys doing do you not see, I wanted to reach through the TV. I don't know what I would have done if I was there. I would like to think I would intervene, but one never knows unless placed in that situation.

[SafetyNurse1968, ADN, BSN, MSN, PhD]

On 6/19/2020 at 4:24 AM, Numenor said:

results which they dutifully report, namely "criminal conduct", past criminal history, aggravating factors and

[SafetyNurse1968, ADN, BSN, MSN, PhD]

Numenor, you state that black people commit more crimes than white people. What do you suggest is the reason for this difference?

I ask because I’m doing a lot of reading in this topic and it looks like when you normalize the data for socioeconomic status, race is not a factor. In other words, black people are more likely to be poor and more crime is committed by those who are poor. What I just wrote is an extreme oversimplification of an extremely complex issue. I read about it in a well supported article from the Southern Poverty Law Center (https://www.splcenter.org/20180614/biggest-lie-white-supremacist-propaganda-playbook-unraveling-truth-about-‘black-white-crime).

The use of black crime stats is a commonly used argument by white supremacists to justify white violence as “retaliation” for what they claim are black people’s inherently violent tendencies.

I am also concerned that folks seem to be struggling on this thread with being kind. It’s okay to disagree. Civil discourse is what this country was founded upon. Please stop being sarcastic and snide, it detracts from your ability to make an effective argument. Let’s talk about the issues.

[Orion81RN]

All of this brought back memories that I had forgotten and my psychologist just diagnosed me with PTSD. Turns out my Dad, who I always thought was a "good apple" is taking the side of cops in certain situations where it is just....so wrong. So, no. It's not a few bad apples when the "good" ones support the "bad" ones. I always trusted police. I was completely naive thinking all this was rare and it's just a "few bad apples." My world has been turned upside down, and I have no idea how to go about having any relationship with my Dad. (A retired Assistant Chief of Police) Everybody just eats up his opinions...having no clue.

That being said I wish I could be out there with the protesters, but I can't risk it right now with my patients.

[Wishinonastar, BSN]

First, people who need power over others are naturally attracted to jobs where they will have this. That is why we see child sex abuse offenders in positions such as in teaching, scouting, churches. They gain trust while serving their own sick needs. Police who do this are people who have a need to dominate. Not all police are bad, just a small percentage. They need psychological monitoring and training in what to do if one of them crosses the line. For the others not to intervene, to me that was the worst part.

But the protests have released a deep suppressed anger that is more than just the police brutality. It makes me very sad. I feel like it is 1968 all over again and I am watching riots and violence on TV as a child once again. I thought it ended back then. I had no idea that there was this much suppressed rage.

I know there is prejudice and bias out there. But in general, I believe all races and all peoples can work their way to a better life if they try. To expect it to be given to you is wrong.

Things are probably worse in some areas. I really don't see racial issues in my area, unless I am just blind to it. I am trying to be more aware. But people seem to live together, work together, marry between races, and just live in peace here. I don't know what to think anymore. I feel like black people hate me for something that I did not do. That, to me, is racism. And it is in all races.

[toomuchbaloney]

2 hours ago, nursemarion said:

First, people who need power over others are naturally attracted to jobs where they will have this. That is why we see child sex abuse offenders in positions such as in teaching, scouting, churches. They gain trust while serving their own sick needs. Police who do this are people who have a need to dominate. Not all police are bad, just a small percentage. They need psychological monitoring and training in what to do if one of them crosses the line. For the others not to intervene, to me that was the worst part.

But the protests have released a deep suppressed anger that is more than just the police brutality. It makes me very sad. I feel like it is 1968 all over again and I am watching riots and violence on TV as a child once again. I thought it ended back then. I had no idea that there was this much suppressed rage.

I know there is prejudice and bias out there. But in general, I believe all races and all peoples can work their way to a better life if they try. To expect it to be given to you is wrong.

Things are probably worse in some areas. I really don't see racial issues in my area, unless I am just blind to it. I am trying to be more aware. But people seem to live together, work together, marry between races, and just live in peace here. I don't know what to think anymore. I feel like black people hate me for something that I did not do. That, to me, is racism. And it is in all races.

You are blind to it.

We insist that Americans never forget 911 but we insist that blacks and native Americans just forget their brutal history of death and oppression. They're just supposed to get over hundreds of years of oppression and abuse. Because nice white people can't see any racism or need to be unhappy and it's unfair to them to be lumped in with the white supremacists. Nice, well meaning, white people shouldn't have to be troubled by protests over racism expressed in police brutality...it's unfair to them...THEY didn't commit acts of racism and violence...they don't know anything about that stuff.

Yep. This is another point in history where people will either choose to expand their understanding of racism in America or choose the status quo.

[Wishinonastar, BSN]

7 minutes ago, toomuchbaloney said:

You are blind to it.

We insist that Americans never forget 911 but we insist that blacks and native Americans just forget their brutal history of death and oppression. They're just supposed to get over hundreds of years of oppression and abuse. Because nice white people can't see any racism or need to be unhappy and it's unfair to them to be lumped in with the white supremacists. Nice, well meaning, white people shouldn't have to be troubled by protests over racism expressed in police brutality...it's unfair to them...THEY didn't commit acts of racism and violence...they don't know anything about that stuff.

Yep. This is another point in history where people will either choose to expand their understanding of racism in America or choose the status quo.

I hear you, but my ancestors were subject to religious persecution. I do not hate other religions because of it. Countless Jews have been persecuted through history. They do not hate every German because of it. None of us alive today is responsible for the past. Being angry at people today for the sins of the past does no good. You cannot change the past.

Education is good, awareness is good, hanging onto anger is not. I do get it. I do. I am sorry that the British brought slavery to this country and it perpetuated until it was stopped. I am sorry that the Nazis murdered millions for no other reason then they got it in their heads that some people were inferior. I am sorry that they once burned those they thought were heretics because of religious differences. I am sorry the world is full of bad things and evil people. But I cannot fix the past.

I treat all my patients the same, I treat all my interactions the same. I do not care what race, religion, or anything else differs about my patients, only that they are my patients and they need me in that moment. I will not accept blame for racism and it is unfair to blame the innocent. Do not assume all whites are racist. It is wrong.

If people use their heads we can make a better future, but if people keep being angry and blaming a generation that had nothing to do with the past, then this can never heal. A wound needs pulled together to heal, not pulled further and further apart and picked at until it forms a scar that will be forever angry and visible.