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.
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.
It always staggers me the level of ignorance of my countrymen.
I admit I have an advantage being that my mom is a history professor.
Do my fellow white people realize that unless you were upper class English, everyone else was considered trash! Meaning that you could and was frequently enslaved! That included the Irish, Scottish, poor English and those from the continent that were catholics. And heaven help the Jewish people.
Do you folks realize that around mid 16th century that indentured whites were fighting alongside slaves in Virginia against the English? Because they were considered slaves! Irish and Scottish included. So don't conveniently forget that very likely your ancestors were slaves of a sort unless you were a wealthy Englishman.
The identity of whiteness didn't really exist until mid 16th century when indentured white slaves were replaced by the hardier Africans. It helped create the necessary differences to encourage the enslavement of another. Prior to that, people identified through religion or as a national of a country. Racism is a result of financial institutions not ethnicity! Also most Italians were probably a result of Roman slavery since they were the biggest proponents.
This is the kind of information that people need to know, especially policemen because I know quite a few and I know people say that there are only a few bad eggs but in my experience racism and bullying are pervasive within their ranks. Any courageous person who takes the time to unpack the personality required to be a police officer, would eventually realize that context or deep thoughts are not their strong suits. Not trying to offend either. But have a broad international or interlectual conversation. Why else would you choose a job that puts you in conflict with American criminals who carry serious firepower and little brain power to manage their decisions? I imagine that their clannish behaviors are self preservation measures and deservedly so.
Plenty of us realize this. We bring it up at times to the "white privilege" haters who think our lives are cream puff. They do not want to hear it. My ancestors were persecuted for their religion. Do I demand apologies and money for it? No. We are a nation made of poor folks who fled their countries. We know it! What is your point?
My father was a history teacher too and history is supposed to be a required subject in school for every American. World History, American History, these classes should help the BLM radicals to understand that it is not just them who suffered, and none of us alive today caused any of it.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
7 minutes ago, nursemarion said:
Plenty of us realize this. We bring it up at times to the "white privilege" haters who think our lives are cream puff. They do not want to hear it. My ancestors were persecuted for their religion. Do I demand apologies and money for it? No. We are a nation made of poor folks who fled their countries. We know it! What is your point?
My father was a history teacher too and history is supposed to be a required subject in school for every American. World History, American History, these classes should help the BLM radicals to understand that it is not just them who suffered, and none of us alive today caused any of it.
Nah, you don't seem to realize at all. There's nothing radical about Black Lives Matter. BLM never intimated that no other groups have suffered. People alive today absolutely engage in racist language and behaviors while defending institutional racism.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
19 minutes ago, amoLucia said:
'Accelerationism' by the definition provided is just ' HELTER SKELTER' as espoused by Charles Manson in the 1960s.
I guess some things never change.
I read that book too.
Later I read Rise and Fall of the 3rd Reich. The nazi leader employed a chaotic, violent event to upend the rights and processes of the German people and government. Conspiracy theorists claim that he planned that fire. He certainly benefited from it.
Nah, you don't seem to realize at all. There's nothing radical about Black Lives Matter. BLM never intimated that no other groups have suffered. People alive today absolutely engage in racist language and behaviors while defending institutional racism.
Your name suits you. Making excuses for this radical group. It is a bunch of baloney. It started out in a positive light and quickly lost its shine. Sad. Perpetuates hate.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
7 minutes ago, nursemarion said:
Your name suits you. Making excuses for this radical group. It is a bunch of baloney. It started out in a positive light and quickly lost its shine. Sad. Perpetuates hate.
LOL
It's radical in your world to advocate for black lives to matter to police? I'm happy to not have any "shine" in your world. I guess you don't realize that assigning hate to a black advocacy group that isn't about hate is...perpetuating hate toward blacks...odd, huh?
It's radical in your world to advocate for black lives to matter to police? I'm happy to not have any "shine" in your world. I guess you don't realize that assigning hate to a black advocacy group that isn't about hate is...perpetuating hate toward blacks...odd, huh?
The radical hate group BLM is perpetuating hate against whites. There should be NO RACE BASED GROUP. That is how racism can end. Until people black or white can stop demanding to be special based on race, it will not end. Rioting in the streets is not a good way to win friends and influence people. It is a violent radical leftist group. Not going to discuss your baloney any more toomuch. Hate all you want. I am busy caring about real world issues.
Your name suits you. Making excuses for this radical group. It is a bunch of baloney. It started out in a positive light and quickly lost its shine. Sad. Perpetuates hate.
I agree the BLM people are becoming more violent, causing riots and destruction. I can't see how this will help anything. It is a whole baloney sandwich how people try to justify their actions.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
31 minutes ago, nursemarion said:
The radical hate group BLM is perpetuating hate against whites. There should be NO RACE BASED GROUP. That is how racism can end. Until people black or white can stop demanding to be special based on race, it will not end. Rioting in the streets is not a good way to win friends and influence people. It is a violent radical leftist group. Not going to discuss your baloney any more toomuch. Hate all you want. I am busy caring about real world issues.
It's not "special" to want the life of a black or brown man to matter to police. The oldest race based hate group still operates in the USA and has enjoyed increased membership in the past 15 years or so. BLM is not the problem.
In 2018 and 2019, the FBI conducted nationwide assessments of “Black identity extremists” under an intelligence collection operation it called “Iron Fist”, prioritizing these cases over investigations of far more prevalent violence from white supremacists and far right militants over that period, including mass shootings at a Pittsburgh synagogue and an El Paso shopping mall.
The FBI also acknowledged using its most advanced surveillance aircraft to monitor BLM protests in Baltimore after the police killing of Freddie Gray in 2018, and again this month at the BLM protests in Washington DC. And, as the Intercept reported last week, at least four organizers of a Black Lives Matter rally in Cookeville, Tennessee, received unscheduled visits at their homes and workplaces by FBI agents assigned to the local joint terrorism taskforce. The agents questioned them about their social media posts, their plans for the protest, and whether they had connections to antifa – anti-fascist activists who Donald Trump has blamed for inciting violence at BLM protests. The FBI has reported it found no evidence of antifa involvement at the protests.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
On 4/21/2021 at 3:31 PM, Workitinurfava said:
I agree the BLM people are becoming more violent, causing riots and destruction. I can't see how this will help anything. It is a whole baloney sandwich how people try to justify their actions.
At least BLM isn't promoting a dangerous lie about election security and didn't attack our capitol on behalf of a corrupt liar trying to seize power that voters took from him. That cost us tens of millions in damage alone, right?
Wishinonastar, BSN
1 Article; 1,000 Posts
Plenty of us realize this. We bring it up at times to the "white privilege" haters who think our lives are cream puff. They do not want to hear it. My ancestors were persecuted for their religion. Do I demand apologies and money for it? No. We are a nation made of poor folks who fled their countries. We know it! What is your point?
My father was a history teacher too and history is supposed to be a required subject in school for every American. World History, American History, these classes should help the BLM radicals to understand that it is not just them who suffered, and none of us alive today caused any of it.