Like you I have struggled to find the words to respond to the horror of the murder of George Floyd before my very eyes. A man who allegedly tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill was immediately regarded as a thief and killed without a trial or a chance to plead his case. Was he a threat to society? Did the police treat him this way for our own good? Absolutely not.
The irony of this story is he was killed by the knee of a policeman. If you remember it was just a few short years ago that quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem in silent protest to the unjustified police killings of African Americans. His action was quickly adopted by many players in the NFL and every Sunday we saw them all taking a knee prior to the game. Kaepernick was promptly fired by the San Francisco 49ers and was ostracized by other teams who regarded him as an unpatriotic troublemaker and he never played in the NFL again. His career was ruined for protesting and highlighting that Black Lives Matter. Instead of acknowledging what he was protesting, his critics were deeply offended by his disregard for the flag and thought that was more egregious. “Taking a Knee” as it was referred to quickly picked up steam and it was adopted by many sports personalities. They became targets of Trump and were treated despicably.
Now a policemen has used his own knee to publicly take the life of an African American. Where is the justice?
Today I am ashamed of America.
Taking a Knee
We watched as the horror unfolded He lay helpless on the ground Hands behind back Cuffs binding wrists Immobile Yet a knee on the neck Unnecessary Arrogance and power pressing down hard Choking life from his body Oh the irony of the knee! Silent Sunday protests Peacefully and respectfully objecting to police brutality Taking a knee Only to be Criticized Deviled Ostracized Unemployed and threatened with silent warnings You take a knee and our knee will Take the breath from your body ... and they did Racism lives on in the USA Christine Bolton - Poetry for Healing © Rest In Peace George Floyd, you will never be forgotten and your death will not be in vain. #blacklivesmatter Prompts RDP - For our good FOWC - Thief
Racism lives on all over the world. We have had several deaths over the years in police custody in the UK.
Sadly it does and I cannot tolerate it. I am happy that they are protesting in London and other major cities in Europe as well as here. #blacklivesmatter
Powerful flow of words, and yes, the irony of the knee, and the loss of nationhood. Though a deep grief, a wonderful piece of writing Christine.
Thanks Paul. I appreciate your encouragement. I only hope those that are as upset with this as much as I am will turn up and vote In November. It’s the only hope we have now to get the monster out of the White House.
You’re very welcome. I hope so too, his impact on the world is dreadful.
It’s heartbreaking and gut wrenching, and I, too, am ashamed of America. But that feeling started in November 2016. Unfortunately, it has been getting progressively worse nearly every day since then. Great post.
Thank you Fandango. I know by the number of likes that this is not a popular post for my blog but it is something that is very important to me. I find it troubling on so many levels and, like my poetry, I have to release those feelings into words. I too need healing from this miscarriage of justice. My husband protested racism here in the 60s and was tear-gassed. Whatever they were fighting for then is still here today. Please don’t let Trump win this war. 😢
I appreciate your heart and insight.
Thank you Marleen
I really am sorry for the news I’m reading these days. But thanks for sharing your thoughts and participating in the prompt today.
Thank you.
Absolutely heartbreaking.
Yes it is Sadje, heartbreaking 😢
😞🥺
Despicable behavior–every American should be outraged and demand justice and equal treatment under the law from our leaders at all levels.
Exactly Bette. Thank you so much 😊
Very moving. I had not connected the knee of Kaep with the irony of a knee killing of George Floyd. How courageous of you! Thank you so much.
This has upset me more than you know. I abhor any kind of violence and to see George Floyd die in front of my eyes by that animal was too much. And now each night I see police beating on protestors. It is horrible.