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.
Are you speaking for the black people now or just making a wht assumption about what black people think and want? Are you saying that blacks should stop fighting wht people and just do what the wht people say?
There may be laws but it doesn't mean they are followed. Although there are laws against employment discrimination, it doesn't mean employers have to hire black employees, or give an explanation as to why they hired white candidates instead of equally qualified black candidates. In one experiment, a man sent out the EXACT same resume but on one copy put the name DaQuan, and on the other John. John got many interview offers, DaQuan got none. What does that tell you?
There are laws in the South against lynching. Still happens, even in 2021, without consequences. The Tulsa massacre, where a white mob burned Black Wall Street with no consequences. The "war on drugs" where cops bulldozed black people's homes, didn't find the drugs they were looking for, yet didn't get consequences or have to repair the people's homes. Breonna Taylor, shot in her sleep. SWAT team experts (white men) testified it was a horribly botched, unnecessary, terribly executed raid. No murder charges. The current system DOES, absolutely, undoubtedly, allow for it.
Why wasn't Black Wall Street rebuilt? Martin Luther King was relentless in bringing about change that made sense, not this BLM mess that is causing more hate between white and black people.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
5 minutes ago, Workitinurfava said:
Why wasn't Black Wall Street rebuilt? Martin Luther King was relentless in bringing about change that made sense.
I would love for you to tell us why it wasn't rebuilt, in your informed opinion. Are you suggesting that MLK wasn't enough of a positive influence or that the blk community was inept because you aren't aware of sensible change that benefits black Americans?
I would love for you to tell us why it wasn't rebuilt, in your informed opinion. Are you suggesting that MLK wasn't enough of a positive influence or that the blk community was inept because you aren't aware of sensible change that benefits black Americans?
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
7 minutes ago, Workitinurfava said:
You spin everything.
In your opinion.
Tell me why you think black wall street wasn't rebuilt...why didn't MLK rebuild it? You must have thoughts, you brought it into the conversation as evidence of something, right? What is your point...why wasn't it rebuilt?
Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.
I don’t think white people can decide that racism is over, because we are not the ones experiencing it. Listen to black people, don’t get defensive or feel that someone talking about racism is a personal accusation
I don’t think white people can decide that racism is over, because we are not the ones experiencing it. Listen to black people, don’t get defensive or feel that someone talking about racism is a personal accusation
It's a 2 way street. People can hate white people just for being white.
Workitinurfava, BSN, RN
1,160 Posts
Seriously?, it's pretty straightforward.