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.
The only ProPublica study I can find did not state that black police officers are more likely to kill black suspects, what study are you referring to?
I think the reason people aren't upset that black officers are just as likely as white officers to appropriately use deadly force is that appropriate use of aggressive, violent, or deadly force is not the issue.
To your point though, the issue isn't as simple as just black vs white, including black cop vs a criminal of any color. It's an issue of some police officers seeing others as being less deserving of the same rights and protections as others. There are certainly black officers that see the poor, minorities, the mentally ill, etc as being more deserving of violent or aggressive behavior. But despite that, it's still the same problem, and just as deserving of being dealt with.
Why talk in circles? Listen if I am in trouble, I will call a cop, if a white one comes, a male and things get a little crazy or the blk male criminal gets hurt or killed, don't expect me to have sympathy for the criminal (person trying to hurt me). I am not the one. I realize who my real threat is, it's not all but it's far too many blk men. It's not a white cop I have to really keep my eyes on or be concerned with. It won't get better either. It is only going to get worse with time.
As a black female I just LOVE the long disclaimer a white person gives me before they tell me their opinion or ask me something.
Yes I quoted myself. My computer froze and I didn't know my comment posted. Guess it did. I just wanted to give an example of a typical unnecessary disclaimers minorities have to hear.
Let's say a Latino (I'm black, but I'm sure Latinos get this too) places her coat on a chair at a Starbucks. She is alone and clearly doesn't need the extra chair at the table. A well-meaning (cough cough) white person goes over to her and says this:
"Excuse I don't mean to rude or racist. You know I love Mexicans. You are so beautiful. You know I know I took a classes in Spanish in high school. As a matter of fact I go over the border all the time to get those great deals. I'm not like those other people who discriminate against Mexicans. I am so glad that other guy is not in office. Blah blah blah. I am so sorry to be rambling on you just want to get some coffee. Do you mind if I take this chair please? Finally leaves with a "Gracias, Au Revoir"
I'm confident that every African-American, Asian, and even LGBT has experienced this when all they have to do is get to the point and ask.
Why talk in circles? Listen if I am in trouble, I will call a cop, if a white one comes, a male and things get a little crazy or the blk male criminal gets hurt or killed, don't expect me to have sympathy for the criminal (person trying to hurt me). I am not the one. I realize who my real threat is, it's not all but it's far too many blk men. It's not a white cop I have to really keep my eyes on or be concerned with. It won't get better either. It is only going to get worse with time.
To clarify, you're saying that as a (presumably) white person you're more likely to be the victim of a violent crime by a black person than by a white person?
Yes I quoted myself. My computer froze and I didn't know my comment posted. Guess it did. I just wanted to give an example of a typical unnecessary disclaimers minorities have to hear.
Let's say a Latino (I'm black, but I'm sure Latinos get this too) places her coat on a chair at a Starbucks. She is alone and clearly doesn't need the extra chair at the table. A well-meaning (cough cough) white person goes over to her and says this:
"Excuse I don't mean to rude or racist. You know I love Mexicans. You are so beautiful. You know I know I took a classes in Spanish in high school. As a matter of fact I go over the border all the time to get those great deals. I'm not like those other people who discriminate against Mexicans. I am so glad that other guy is not in office. Blah blah blah. I am so sorry to be rambling on you just want to get some coffee. Do you mind if I take this chair please? Finally leaves with a "Gracias, Au Revoir"
I'm confident that every African-American, Asian, and even LGBT has experienced this when all they have to do is get to the point and ask.
That's an incredibly amazing ability you possess to actually know if that person was being polite or considerate? Either way it appears to be a good trait as opposed to simply taking the chair or stating that they are going to take the chair.
Kudos for having all that time and energy to be feel agrieved at someone needing a chair you don't require. I must be doing something wrong because I wouldn't even remember such an incident much less the race of the person.
18 minutes ago, MunoRN said:
To clarify, you're saying that as a (presumably) white person you're more likely to be the victim of a violent crime by a black person than by a white person?
Jeez, you were actually able to understand what he was saying?
Kudos for having all that time and energy to be feel agrieved at someone needing a chair you don't require. I must be doing something wrong because I wouldn't even remember such an incident much less the race of the person.
Well perhaps you are one of those people who don't see color. I am not aggrieved at them needing the chair, but the needless disclaimer rant is insulting and implies that people are on the fine line of being triggered. It is well meaning, but with the hint of racism.
This thread, for example is how black men are treated. Black men in some situations are treated extremely nicely and friendly. One person might say "hey that is great all people should be treated in such a nice matter." I bet that a black person knows they are treated nicely because someone out of fear that will act a certain way.
For your explicit enjoyment. It is like a white barista at Starbucks giving a black patron a free venti, when a mistake is made. Despite the fact that the black patron clearly says "I don't want a free coffee, I just want you to fix my coffee". The white barista keeps saying "We love ALL people at Starbucks. Please HAVE THIS FREE COFFEE!" The black patron getting annoyed says "I can pay for my coffee man!". Gives up and just leaves.
Yes. Despite what you think situations like this are real.
Either way it appears to be a good trait as opposed to simply taking the chair or stating that they are going to take the chair.
No it is not a good trait. No one wants to hear that. They want to enjoy time by themselves or their family without having some stranger tell them that they are not racists.
Well perhaps you are one of those people who don't see color. I am not aggrieved at them needing the chair, but the needless disclaimer rant is insulting and implies that people are on the fine line of being triggered. It is well meaning, but with the hint of racism.
This thread, for example is how black men are treated. Black men in some situations are treated extremely nicely and friendly. One person might say "hey that is great all people should be treated in such a nice matter." I bet that a black person knows they are treated nicely because someone out of fear that will act a certain way.
For your explicit enjoyment. It is like a white barista at Starbucks giving a black patron a free venti, when a mistake is made. Despite the fact that the black patron clearly says "I don't want a free coffee, I just want you to fix my coffee". The white barista keeps saying "We love ALL people at Starbucks. Please HAVE THIS FREE COFFEE!" The black patron getting annoyed says "I can pay for my coffee man!". Gives up and just leaves.
Yes. Despite what you think situations like this are real.
Again, I don't see your point. The barista has made a mistake and is likely compensating to ensure further business. And I don't see color, I see bad behaviors from every one white, black, brown or whatever spectrum. I am equally blunt with everyone and I expect the same because I don't get offended, I unfortunately can't get it through my head that other people do. But I also don't deal in stupid.
This thread is about racism from white cops towards black men but one of the posters appears to think that if a black cop kills a black man apparently it's also construed as racist. Illogical and an abjectly stupid conclusion!
And I don't see color, I see bad behaviors from every one white, black, brown or whatever spectrum.
Well that's obvious. You don't see color, because you are no affected by colorism and racism. Sure everyone has bad behaviors, but minorities are treated differently after and even before a bad behavior. I love examples and I know you love my examples too: It is like a white person assuming an Asian female is going to be docile and not confrontational. NOT because of her personality, but because she is of Asian descent. She has to fit into a racist stereotype about Asian women. You might think it is a compliment, but it is not.
This thread is about racism from white cops towards black men but one of the posters appears to think that if a black cop kills a black man apparently it's also construed as racist. Illogical and an abjectly stupid conclusion!
As for this black cop argument you'll are having I liken it to that study on authority, where half a study group was told to be prisoners, while the other are guards. It is the same effect, but on a larger scale such as the police department. Slave plantations had black slaves who were cruel authorities figures on plantations and carried out dirty deeds of slave masters without question. Maybe it is because black cops who do use unreasonable force against a black person want to maintain that level of acceptance from the typically all white police force. "I'm not like those black people. I am like the good black people that you find acceptable"
It is just a hidden problem of systematic racism. When you act more like the ones in power or do what it takes to look good in their eyes you are on the Right/ White side. This happens all over the world and not just in black culture.
When someone does speak ups, they are treated poorly. Like that female cop who stopped a chokehold and got fired. It signals that I better go along or I will be on the wrong side. Let me make myself more acceptable by being just as cruel to this black person.
Don't worry I will always have the time for impatient people who suffer from oblivious stupidity. Or maybe it is ignorance? Ignorance implies you know something, but do it anyway. Where as stupidity implies that you have no clue at all. (Pondering ?) yep I'll go with stupidity.
LibraNurse27, BSN, RN
972 Posts
There is something I can agree with!