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...
Quote
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
Quote
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.
I don't think it helps to blame one section of society. Police deal with the outcome of systemic racism that is deeply entrenched throughout a society.
Better to look to understand the reality and reasons for societal racism working to solve problems from the ground up.
Blaming the police for a societal problem will not solve racist attitudes. Blaming people of colour will not solve racist attitudes.
but I agree , there needs to be change now.
it is heartbreaking to watch as innocent people lose their lives.
Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.
42 minutes ago, gere7404 said:
actually, the only person killed that day was a white woman shot by a black police officer
I think you are forgetting about the captitol officer Brian Sicknick who died after being assaulted by the protestors (he was white)
Two died from a medical condition and one died of a drug overdose
Ashlee Babbit was shot by a man wearing cufflinks. Not sure how many cops wear cufflinks to work in the US. There is no documentation anywhere that confirms that the shooter was black, and the video footage is not clear. Could be a black person. Could be a latino, could be a white person, all I'm fairly sure of it was unlikely to be a cop unless cufflinks are a standard part of their uniform
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
54 minutes ago, gere7404 said:
actually, the only person killed that day was a white woman shot by a black police officer
An ex-military traitor who was engaged in disrupting the federal government to benefit a corrupt liar who had lost the election was shot by an officer.
No arrests were made that day. That's white privilege.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
14 minutes ago, maryellen12 said:
I don't think it helps to blame one section of society. Police deal with the outcome of systemic racism that is deeply entrenched throughout a society.
Better to look to understand the reality and reasons for societal racism working to solve problems from the ground up.
Blaming the police for a societal problem will not solve racist attitudes. Blaming people of colour will not solve racist attitudes.
but I agree , there needs to be change now.
it is heartbreaking to watch as innocent people lose their lives.
We shouldn't presume that police don't engage in racism and only deal with the aftermath. Racism is found throughout our society, it's endemic.
I think you are forgetting about the captitol officer Brian Sicknick who died after being assaulted by the protestors (he was white)
Two died from a medical condition and one died of a drug overdose
Ashlee Babbit was shot by a man wearing cufflinks. Not sure how many cops wear cufflinks to work in the US. There is no documentation anywhere that confirms that the shooter was black, and the video footage is not clear. Could be a black person. Could be a latino, could be a white person, all I'm fairly sure of it was unlikely to be a cop unless cufflinks are a standard part of their uniform
Brian Sicknick died of a stroke, maybe his BP was elevated from the event or something, but despite early reports that his head was caved in by a fire extinguisher (it wasn't) his death has been determined to be unrelated to being at the capitol. He may have been exposed to bear mace, but the videos they've released don't show it very well.
There has been court orders to withhold the identification of the officer who shot Ashlee Babbit; there's pictures of him, and he's clearly black. Weird that when a white cop shoots someone during a criminal act they're immediately crucified in the court of public opinion, but when a black officer shoots an unarmed woman? No outrage? Identification blocked from publication? Must be nice having that kind of privilege! ?
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
1 hour ago, gere7404 said:
Weird that when a white cop shoots someone during a criminal act they're immediately crucified in the court of public opinion, but when a black officer shoots an unarmed woman?No outrage? Identification blocked from publication? Must benice having that kind of privilege! ?
Weird.
Criminal acts. Like Philandro or Tamir or Breonna kind of criminal? What's really weird is that too many people of color are harmed or killed when they encounter or are in the custody of police and have done nothing criminal...and the cause of their deaths or injuries is frequently not a gun shot.
Yeah, I would agree that when the public sees video of police killing an unarmed person they are immediately outraged. That's a good thing.
That unarmed woman was in the middle of a significant crime, an attack on our capitol. How do you feel about that?
Brian Sicknick died of a stroke, maybe his BP was elevated from the event or something, but despite early reports that his head was caved in by a fire extinguisher (it wasn't) his death has been determined to be unrelated to being at the capitol. He may have been exposed to bear mace, but the videos they've released don't show it very well.
There has been court orders to withhold the identification of the officer who shot Ashlee Babbit; there's pictures of him, and he's clearly black. Weird that when a white cop shoots someone during a criminal act they're immediately crucified in the court of public opinion, but when a black officer shoots an unarmed woman? No outrage? Identification blocked from publication? Must be nice having that kind of privilege! ?
What's weird is that based on your posts you don't seem objective and you are in emergency services?
I hope your feelings don't influence your services?
Criminal acts. Like Philandro or Tamir or Breonna kind of criminal? What's really weird is that too many people of color are harmed or killed when they encounter or are in the custody of police and have done nothing criminal...and the cause of their deaths or injuries is frequently not a gun shot.
Yeah, I would agree that when the public sees video of police killing an unarmed person they are immediately outraged. That's a good thing.
That unarmed woman was in the middle of a significant crime, an attack on our capitol. How do you feel about that?
Race immaterial, you can find unjustified shoots by police officers regarding innocent people of all races; Philando Castille for all accounts was completely compliant, trying to obey an officers conflicting commands and died because of poor discipline; Tamir Rice unfortunately was pointing a very real replica gun at people and was killed for it (guess what, if you look for it, you can find kids of all races who've been shot doin, and Breonna Taylor was a victim of the drug war and government over-reach -- it was stupid she was under investigation, and it's stupid the police have the kind of power to where they can conduct a no-knock raid for something like suspicion of drug possession.
I don't like the idea of the capitol being beseiged by any forces, regardless of political affiliation. It makes me just as mad to see that as seeing "peaceful protests" in which people feel justified in, I don't know, burning down police stations, declaring themselves autonomous countries, or attempting to light federal courthouses with people in them on fire nightly for more than a month.
You don't seem outraged regarding the killing of an unarmed woman, because "she was committing a significant crime." Tell me, how do you feel about say, Ma'Khia Bryant?
26 minutes ago, Curious1997 said:
What's weird is that based on your posts you don't seem objective and you are in emergency services?
I hope your feelings don't influence your services?
How is pointing out false reports and double standards not being objective?
Race immaterial, you can find unjustified shoots by police officers regarding innocent people of all races; Philando Castille for all accounts was completely compliant, trying to obey an officers conflicting commands and died because of poor discipline; Tamir Rice unfortunately was pointing a very real replica gun at people and was killed for it (guess what, if you look for it, you can find kids of all races who've been shot doin, and Breonna Taylor was a victim of the drug war and government over-reach -- it was stupid she was under investigation, and it's stupid the police have the kind of power to where they can conduct a no-knock raid for something like suspicion of drug possession.
I don't like the idea of the capitol being beseiged by any forces, regardless of political affiliation. It makes me just as mad to see that as seeing "peaceful protests" in which people feel justified in, I don't know, burning down police stations, declaring themselves autonomous countries, or attempting to light federal courthouses with people in them on fire nightly for more than a month.
You don't seem outraged regarding the killing of an unarmed woman, because "she was committing a significant crime." Tell me, how do you feel about say, Ma'Khia Bryant?
How is pointing out false reports and double standards not being objective?
Thank you for proving my point!
You're obviously right leaning which is absolutely OK but I question where the right gets their information from. To date, only the Post reporter re Kamala Harris's book, voluntarily left because of pressure. If it's a Murdoch publication or involvement, I'm not reading it. You can fool me once adage.
The right seems to have people that subscribe to Q and lizards etc so immediately those people are all suspect. The ones that subscribe to racism and misogynistic tropes, I'm not listening. I listen to the ones that want an optimal govt re bloating, military spending and respectful of women, minorities and LGBT people because I'm afraid of extremist judgemental people. I don't trust their judgment!
Therefore I question your sources and therefore your opinions and conclusions.
maryellen12
51 Posts
I don't think it helps to blame one section of society. Police deal with the outcome of systemic racism that is deeply entrenched throughout a society.
Better to look to understand the reality and reasons for societal racism working to solve problems from the ground up.
Blaming the police for a societal problem will not solve racist attitudes. Blaming people of colour will not solve racist attitudes.
but I agree , there needs to be change now.
it is heartbreaking to watch as innocent people lose their lives.