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.

[toomuchbaloney]

Police abusing or killing people of color is an important issue. 

[NurseBlaq]

19 hours ago, MunoRN said:

Your article describes implicit bias as being a form of racism, it's subconscious racism as opposed to over racism, so I'm not sure how the supports the claim that racism isn't a form of bias.

But semantics aside, your point seems to be that by definition you can't have racist views (still not sure what definition you're referring to), but that instead you have racially biased views.  Ignoring that "racially biased" is a synonym for racism, how is that better than having views you would define as racist?

I've pointed out repeatedly that racism not only exists but it's a significant problem, if you're going to accuse me of claiming racism doesn't exist maybe you could reference where I made that claim.

If you disagree with what I'm saying then feel free to explain why you think I'm wrong, but responding with name calling rather than debating the issue isn't how reasonable adults interact.  

It's the subliminal dismissiveness and pettiness that shuts down the conversation. You claim I'm "name calling" then in the same sentence toss in "reasonable adults" as a slight only proves my point that you're refusing to understand. The article I posted clear as day differentiates racism and bias

[NurseBlaq]

14 hours ago, LibraNurse27 said:

Racism is a system of structuring opportunity and assigning value based on physical properties such as skin color and hair texture. This “system” unfairly disadvantages some individuals and groups and damages their health and mental health.

Its effects range from daily interpersonal interactions shaped by race to race-based opportunities for good education, housing, employment, etc. It is reflected in disparities in, but not limited to health, wealth, income, justice, and voting. It also unfairly advantages individuals belonging to socially and politically dominant racial groups.

Racism is structural, institutional, interpersonal, and internalized.

That is a description from the American Psychological Association. I know it seems like semantics and I didn't get it at first, but bias is different than racism. A black person really can't be racist toward a white person, but they can be biased. Because, a black person being biased against a white person does not affect that person's ability to get a job, housing, education, etc. Black people have never lynched white people. Racism is much more than disliking someone for their race, it has to do with the power white people who have those dislikes hold.

If a black person dislikes a white person for being white, that sucks, but it doesn't much harm that white person. If a white person dislikes black people for being black, it can cause major consequences for black people. An example would be when a white woman falsely accused a black man in Tulsa of assaulting her (later recanted), and a white mob burned down Black Wall Street. Police did nothing because they were racist and said it was justified. If a black woman falsely accused a white man of rape, I don't think NYC Wall Street would be burned down with no consequences or reparations. I am not trying to be argumentative, just explaining some things I've learned = )

 

 

They get it, they don't want to get it. No point in wasting your time with ignorance. Racists love trying to tell Black people how to perceive, understand, and determine racism as if we don't experience it on a consistent basis. Be it overt, covert, third party, whatever. Imagine being so self-absorbed that you're telling people how to feel while being the person making them feel that way. Then continuously dismissing their feelings while actively doubling down on the same nonsense that caused those feelings. It's textbook gaslighting. Often done by narcissists, racists, and just trashy people altogether.

[guest1163268]

If you examine it historically, I think it is a cultural thing reinforced by economics or any philosophy that bolsters self esteem. 

Americans visiting Paris or London are generally insecure, because educationally have been taught about the significance and age of the culture, which is then reinforced by the magnificence of the cities. Why does a Londoner or a Parisienne have a superior perspective of most people? Even other white people? 

That perspective, if either was given the opportunity to say, conquer America would translate into a form of racism. The English enslaved their own through indentureship. Americans currently do it through the criminal justice system enslaving and treating poor whites exactly the same as a poor black person and justifying it through many derogatorys. White trash, trailer trash, redneck etc. I wouldn't believe many if they told me that the moment they hear a southern accent, certain inferior stereotypes immediately surfaces, which if given the opportunity would translate into some form of unconscious bias. 

I think it's several components that comprises racism. Cortez had religion and greed to bolster his superiority even though vastly outnumbered. The Aztecs had superstition to lower their defenses. Marco Polo to China? As superior as you may feel, in the presence of opulence or anything giving the impression of might, anyone would feel inferior and be susceptible to weaknesses. Capitals are designed to bolster the impression of success and imbue intimidation. Buildings are. 

That is why things like sports or education or professions etc levels the playing field. Only ability counts and that's why for a long time, Hitler.... Jesse Owen, etc, baseball.... Black people, university quotas etc. Segregation was enacted because the playing field is level in these pursuits. 

Racism is a psychological measure to tilt the rules in the favor of certain groups. It's a competition thing. Change the rules to create the level playing field and racism will greatly diminish. It will reduce the need of justification, to feel better about yourself!

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

On 5/15/2021 at 6:07 AM, nursemarion said:

This is only assuming that the white person in question has some sort of authority or is in a position to create harm for the blk person.

Actually, no. Low income white people have the power over the wealthiest black people to call the cops on them and possibly get them killed. The white men who shot Ahmaud Arbery because they didn't like that he was running in a white neighborhood and had no authority over him, they are just white and therefore felt justified. There are tons of stories of white people calling the cops on their black neighbors in nice neighborhoods because they think they're there to rob the building. The black tenants have to show proof of residence and sometimes even get arrested until things get sorted out. These white people are also not in authority, they live in the same building and are at the same echelon of society.

But no matter how wealthy a black person becomes they can't escape racism. Even black celebrities have been tackled by police because they "looked suspicious" or "looked like a suspect we're looking for." @NurseBlaq is right, you can't be white and tell black people about racism. But if you want to keep doing that, fine. Take care

[Wishinonastar, BSN]

21 hours ago, LibraNurse27 said:

Actually, no. Low income white people have the power over the wealthiest black people to call the cops on them and possibly get them killed. The white men who shot Ahmaud Arbery because they didn't like that he was running in a white neighborhood and had no authority over him, they are just white and therefore felt justified. There are tons of stories of white people calling the cops on their black neighbors in nice neighborhoods because they think they're there to rob the building. The black tenants have to show proof of residence and sometimes even get arrested until things get sorted out. These white people are also not in authority, they live in the same building and are at the same echelon of society.

But no matter how wealthy a black person becomes they can't escape racism. Even black celebrities have been tackled by police because they "looked suspicious" or "looked like a suspect we're looking for." @NurseBlaq is right, you can't be white and tell black people about racism. But if you want to keep doing that, fine. Take care

I am not the enemy. I understand the feelings of these people who feel the world is unfair. I am going to leave it at that, I will not negate their feelings- they are theirs and they have a right to have them. But again, I did nothing wrong. I treat all my patients equally.  I am not the enemy. This false assumption that all whites are racist sickens me.  again, you do not know me. 

[toomuchbaloney]

9 hours ago, nursemarion said:

I am not the enemy. I understand the feelings of these people who feel the world is unfair. I am going to leave it at that, I will not negate their feelings- they are theirs and they have a right to have them. But again, I did nothing wrong. I treat all my patients equally.  I am not the enemy. This false assumption that all whites are racist sickens me.  again, you do not know me. 

We do indeed know what you say and share in these forums and they leave an impression.  You are feeling defensive because your comments leave the reader with the impression that you are, at minimum, a racially unaware and insensitive white person. You can change that.  It's the words you say. 

[NurseBlaq]

6 hours ago, toomuchbaloney said:

We do indeed know what you say and share in these forums and they leave an impression.  You are feeling defensive because your comments leave the reader with the impression that you are, at minimum, a racially unaware and insensitive white person. You can change that.  It's the words you say. 

That part! Never said "all white people" I called out particular posters because they've relayed racist behaviors by their posts... full stop. But you know the saying about a hit dog and all. ?

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

Well, I try not to make assumptions about anyone, especially patients, but I think we are all capable of unconscious bias. Perhaps I am biased to think many white people are biased or racially insensitive. Thank you for your feedback and I apologize if I offended you. I am happy to admit my faults and listen to how I have impacted people. Whatever the intent was, the impact matters more, so I appreciate you letting me know how you felt.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Several posts debating other members rather than the topic have been edited or removed. Please remember to keep the Terms of Service in mind when posting. This would include posting to the topic at hand and refraining from divisive posts or name calling  

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