This morning, Mr. Handsome and I again awoke to news of extreme destruction in Downtown Nashville. When this happened in March, the culprit was a tornado. This time, the damage was caused by a riot that began peacefully and turned violent.
We had business to take care of that took us into Downtown Nashville today. As we drove down Broadway and 2nd, we saw windows being boarded up and evidence of looting that had taken place the night before. The courthouse, which was saved from attempted arson, was covered in graffiti. Thankfully, all the broken glass had been removed, and the businesses that had not been impacted were open to customers. It was a beautiful day, and there were a lot of people walking around.
The violence in Nashville and across the country is devastating, especially in the midst of the economic turmoil that has already resulted from COVID-19. Hearing stories of business owners who have lost their livelihoods has brought me to tears. My heart breaks for the family and friends of George Floyd. The way he was treated was completely inhumane. However, I do not believe that violence is the answer.
Mr. Handsome and I are praying for George’s loved ones, as well as for safety for those protesting and the law enforcement officers risking their lives to keep the peace.
Anonymous
I saw two nights in a row of similar destruction locally. I heard all sorts of disgusting “justification” for the vandalism from those interviewed during the melee, which I will not repeat. I also heard good citizens denouncing it: “It does not further the message.” “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” “George Floyd did not die so you could loot a TV.”
BTW, you said Lloyd instead of Floyd.
Anonymous
George Floyd. His name was George Floyd, not George Lloyd. Please correct his name in your post. He deserves that.
Anonymous
Destruction like that is disgusting, no matter what the reason. Why is there time and energy to do that, when there isn’t equal time and energy to work for peaceful solutions? My city put out a call for citizen advocates to be on a new police action review board. Nobody applied so they had to put out a second plea. Yet you see how many could turn out to loot and destroy. I know…this is the view from my side, but destructive behavior disgusts me, if that’s all you want to do and you’re looking for a reason to do it. Find another way to deliver your message. I get it that you don’t feel respected, but this isn’t helping.
Anonymous
There are multiple forces at work: (1) Peaceful protesters, some there with families, who have every right to protest. (2) Agitators who want to stir up trouble between races, further their own agendas, and go town to town with organized violence/vandalism, even staging the equipment ahead of time needed to do that. (3) Opportunistic looters.
I think towns are seeing all 3 right now, and the cops don’t know how to handle it without making it escalate into total war.
Sarah
I definitely do not condone the violence however I understand how/why it is happening. Black people have been persecuted for years. Every year, unarmed black people are killed for no reason, and those responsible are allowed to go free. I understand how tensions boil over. I understand why there is violence…people are fed up that year after year, nothing has changed. How many more people need to lose their lives before there is change? It doesn’t seem like our government has an answer…things need to change for the violence to end. People are hurt and when people hurt, emotions take over. It doesn’t help that we’ve all been locked up due to Covid. Again, I don’t see violence as an answer but I do understand why it is happening.
Megan
Right you are! Totally agree
Proud American
I find it disconcerting how many more of your words were bemoaning broken windows than a man’s murder.
I don’t think looting and violence are the larger answer, either. I grew up with police officers, I inherently respect and trust them.
But you haven’t said anything, for years, of the deaths of black and brown unarmed Americans at the hands of police officers.
And this looting that seems so much worse than the brutal end of a man’s life…it at least led you to say his name, acknowledge his loss.
Perhaps if more like us had paid attention when the protest was taking a knee instead…perhaps this wouldn’t have happened. So let us not cast stones at those who throw bricks, but look instead to how we can do better now, and see our own responsibility in the anguish at play.
Anonymous
I don’t think anyone is downplaying the murder. I think everyone is looking forward to justice for George’s death. But destroying cities in retaliation doesn’t make up for anything. Even George’s own family doesn’t want it. You’re proud of what you see your fellow Americans doing here? You think it makes the cops and the public want to respect people more? It’s senseless looting by criminals, nothing more.
Anonymous
I didn’t say I was proud of the looting and violence, no. If no one is downplaying the murder, they sure are up-playing the riots.
I am, however, deeply proud of the First Amendment. The protesters are overwhelmingly not the looters.
Anonymous
I am definitely not proud of our President, who used this for a photo opportunity.
Anonymous
I am thankful for our president who walked to the church to show that law and order will be restored in our country! It was comforting to me! It was not a photo opportunity. It was a show of the strength of our country and that he will protect us from threats foreign or domestic. Those rioters (not the peaceful protesters) have proven that they don’t care about George. They have beaten up and killed other Americans who were not harming them in any way including black Americans. The officer who killed George is in jail. Attacking people who had nothing to do with it is inhumane and despicable!
Anonymous
@3:19Anon The President and his people ordered the police to beat back peaceful protestors so he could walk to that church and get a photo. They used physical force, smoke, and pepper spray to clear away people who were causing no harm. The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington was outraged by what he did. A lot of citizens were, too. Other church leaders said the same thing.
Anonymous
I cannot believe that Trump said Friday was “a great day for George Floyd.” How more insensitive and out of touch can that man be?
Anonymous
Why would Ellie post about the topics that you are mentioning. That’s not what her blog is about.
Anonymous
Totally agree. She can post about whatever she chooses. My point was that this time, these actions, actually made it somehow something to talk about. Not a statement on whether she should have before, that’s not the point.
But this time, his murder was acknowledged and his name was said, even in a space that never did before. And that’s powerful.
Anonymous
You are correct.
The looting was bad and got her attention and she posted about George Floyd which she otherwise would not have.
Hopefully stores can rebuild. But George Floyd is gone forever.
His children left without a father.
Anonymous
I don’t understand why you people act like looting, burning down businesses, throwing bricks and killing shop owners and police are victimless crimes? This is ridiculous an to point it out doesn’t take away from the senseless murder of George Floyd. You also act like police are hunting black folks which is a ludicrous assumption to make. There were 9 unarmed black folks killed by cops in 2019, 19 unarmed white folks killed by cops and over thirty cops killed last year. So how about instead of the mob mentality how about you look up the facts before you talk. There were 18 murders in Chicago last month in 1 day, a record amount, so where is everyone on that? Black on black crime is a major problem to the black community, but I guess those black lives don’t matter. I see where people are standing with black lives matter, the same black lives matter who were marching through cities and chanting, “what do we want, dead cops, when do we want them, Now” and “Pigs in a blanket, fry them like bacon”. Hmmm ever wonder where the black lives matter people are when black folks are killing each other in all the major cities?? Since when is a radical group like that someone that everyone stands with now? Look up facts before you jump on a cause!!! Ignorance is not bliss!!
Anonymous
I am not talking about the peaceful protests, but if these riots with all of the destruction and violence keep on spreading, will it force our entire nation to come under Marshall law? I hope not. It seems like there are hidden agendas to destroy our country. To be honest, I am afraid of guns, my Daddy tried to teach me when I was younger, but I was too scared. Now I wish I had let him. But I know guns would be confiscated under Marshall law.
Anonymous
It’s martial law, not Marshall law. If you’re going to fear it, shouldn’t you know what it is?
Anonymous
They need to get rid of guns all together. It would be a safer place with out guns.
Lori
I believe people have aright to protest, peacefully. The violence and destruction that is happening is awful. There needs to be justice for George Floyd but burning down buildings, looting businesses and hurting others solves nothing. My daughter lives in downtown Chicago and is in the middle of all of this. Most streets are closed, buildings are boarded up but she is a nurse and still goes to work. She is stopped and asked for ID along her now twice as long route and they have implemented the buddy system. Her and her co workers are still targeted for wearing scrubs in public so it’s very scary. All they want is to get to work safely to care for their Covid patients.
Anonymous
If you think what happened in Nashville is bad, you ought to see New York City. It’s your damage times 1000, maybe 10,000. I know people there and saw their videos of what was happening in the streets the last 2 nights. The 11pm curfew last night was a total failure. Looting began by 7pm. Even boarded up places and places with roll-down metal security coverings were looted. They broke into a computer store, the cops came, they scattered, but as soon as the cops left everyone flooded right back in and cleaned the place out. Then they were assaulting and stealing looted goods from each other on the street. Total anarchy.
Ellie
That sounds terrible. I can’t imagine the fear and concern that must be going through the minds of everyone in NYC, especially after they were hit so hard by COVID. 🙁
Anonymous
Two of my friends live in NYC. They are under a strict 8 P.M. curfew for the rest of the week. Thankfully, it’s been quiet in their neighborhoods. My town in NJ had a peaceful protest the other night. Everyone wore masks and socially distanced the best they could.
Anonymous
There’s been nothing strict about the NYC 8pm curfew. The 11pm curfew totally didn’t work. Mass destruction in many parts of the city. When curfew was changed to 8pm, the looting began again by 9pm, and the cops didn’t do much but roll up, park, and watch people scatter. As soon as the cops left, the looters came right back within seconds.
The cops only started to weakly enforce the 8pm curfew last night. I watched a peaceful group of about 100 get at least 20 people arrested at 8:30pm on 5th Ave. The rest scattered. Then it rained, which really put a damper on things. But people are ignoring the curfew and the cops aren’t doing too much to the ones who are still out past then. As long as you’re moving along and not part of a big group, the cops ignore you. All the curfew is doing is giving the cops something to write on your ticket if they do decide to bust up a group.
Anonymous
Instead of “it’s such a shame black people keep being killed, but the violent protests need to stop” maybe we could try “it’s such a shame the protests are being infiltrated by unaffiliated looters and instigators, but police brutality against black and brown people needs to stop.”
I am glad to see you say George’s name.
Z
This!!!
Thank you for writing this.
Regina Shea
People have a right to protest George Floyd’s death. It was an absolute evil thing that now former officer did. However, no one and I mean no one has a right to destroy public or private property or loot stores because they are angry or because it’s a chance to take things that don’t belong to them.
Dr. King is rolling in his grave!☹
Anonymous
Ellie, my heart hurts for your country and for it’s people. It doesn’t hurt for the ‘things’ destroyed. These are replaceable. The lives lost along the way, that got America to this point?
My hope and prayer for you is that you use this and your other platforms to support inclusivity and support change of all that is wrong and bad so that these things never again escalate. Could you use your voice and post the good work being done? Elevate positive, peaceful, educational moments that are happening, that you are involved in? Even the speech Jeremy Vuolo gave? Share love and share respect. If you give it your voice you may empower someone else too and what a wonderful and safe world for all it just may be.
Anonymous
Jeremy is a follower of John MacArthur’s church. If you don’t know where MacArthur stands, you should research that before recommending him as a source of positivity on this issue.
Anonymous
Let’s not forget that George Floyd was no choir boy. He had a history of violent crimes and had spent time in jail. He allegedly committed a crime on the night of the incident, and he had signs of 2 illegal drugs in his system. NOT that that condones what some overzealous police officer did AT ALL, but if George had been obeying the law, his night would have unfolded differently. I don’t see people out marching in the streets against the use of illegal drugs or marching for the importance of being responsible and not committing crimes! EVERYONE has to be responsible for their actions, NOT JUST THE POLICE. Crime of any kind is not right, and the country knows that but is not talking about it right now. They’re not working to solve those problems. It’s easier to get mad and cause destruction and get yourself a new XBox for free. Abominable behavior.
Anonymous
How is pointing out the “facts” of Mr. Floyd’s own contribution to his death helping the conversation toward unity? I understand Mr. Floyd lost his job due to covid19 and so if you talking about context then please also examine the context which Mr. Floyd found himself in being black in America – he likely had no health care, if he had been to jail likely he would have a hard time evening finding a job (because, most people prefer to hire the “choir boys” you are likely referring to (but even those folks likely have sin in their life). We need to follow Christ’s teaching on unity – and dig through our bibles to study what God has to say about it. The gospel is love, compassion, and forgiveness. The protests will stop, but will communities learn how to talk to one another and be showing Christ’s love to one another?
Anonymous
@11:12 Losing your job doesn’t mean it’s OK to commit a crime. Millions of people are in that same unemployment boat but aren’t passing what might be phony bills at stores. I heard George’s employer speak. He said George was a nice guy. If the employer was sympathetic to that unemployment, then he should have been applying for PPP, paying his employees even while laid off, and keeping up their health insurance. There’s the unemployment system, slow as it might be, but it’s there and it pays. There’s public assistance. There’s Medicaid. There are food banks. The government gave you a stimulus check. You weren’t supposed to spend it on drugs. You don’t need to be trying to get your cigarettes for free. That’s your bad decision; that’s on you. Nothing gives you the right to break any law and then not expect some sort of consequences. Yes, I know what happened to George was beyond extreme. I’m not denying that, I think it’s horrible, and I’m glad they’re holding the cops responsible. I hope it’s a lesson to all cops. But you yourself have to behave responsibly and not commit (alleged or proven) crimes. It starts with that, no matter who you are!
anon
excuse me but he was not passing conterfeit money nor was he doing anything other than being black in front a a white woman.
and sweetheart, the truth is, there is no help for most of us people (i’m not being mean by saying this) this regime has removed most of us from medicaid and we dont make enough money for health insurance. there is a huge gap we all fall into. there is no stimulus check or public assistance and my state is continuing to hold up the process for receiving it by blocking access to the page. yeah, i know they said its because people did something wrong and thats why they didnt get their checks but that is so not true in my state.
also, unless you’re really a large company, posing as a small business to get the money (example-los angels lakers & drakes) because of a loophole, these companies cannot afford to pay their employees if there is no business, so suggesting george’s boss should have paid them is pretty ignorant seeing there is no money available to them. if people would stop listening to the lies this regime is spewing forth, then they would see that real problems exist. those of us who despise this regime for their hatred and division of black & white, man & woman, gop & dems can see right thru them
Anonymous
No anon. Calm down and read the 911 transcript. It clearly begins with a report of someone trying to give a store clerk fake bills. Counterfeit money. That other Anon is correct.
Anon
Right on 6:03. I agree totally with what you said!!!!
Regina Shea
I so agree with you @6:03pm.
Anonymous
I think people need to reflect, and understand the contributions Black Americans have made. How different would the country look if in the early days there had been no slave labor available and agricultural/farmers had to pay those workers. How is it that a certain point in time for the slave trade to even start that white people deemed their skin color superior? It’s noteworthy to post about damage from looting yet, but perhaps equally important is to post about the damage done from racism and the lasting impact of slavery. So, be upset about the damage to buildings and business but perhaps everyone needs to be more upset about why this has happened, and why leaders are not able to stop or contain it. It’s not “normal” for thousands of people to be out on the streets protesting for days on end, and it’s certainly a call to be learning about the history of the country from a variety of authors and perspectives (and not just look to white authors to be telling the history).
Patricia
I have read and enjoyed your blogs – all of them – for years. You seem like a nice young woman with a nice husband and family.
I am so incredibly disappointed to read this post. I think I will have to take a step back from your blogs for awhile. You might be a nice person – I’m sure you are. You almost certainly don’t consider yourself a racist. I can’t comment on that, as I don’t know you in real life. I can tell, however, that you are not currently an anti-racist. I can reasonably draw that conclusion from your words, your own account of your actions, and the way you use this platform. Other posters said it best – you used your platform to dedicate hundreds of words to lamenting broken windows, and you got George Floyd’s name wrong.
You have so many tools at your disposal – intelligence, wit, an apparently loving and supportive family. You have a social responsibility to use those tools to make society better for all. You are not doing that. In fact, with this post, you are working against that goal.
Luckily, becoming an anti-racist is something you can learn. I sincerely hope you take the steps to do better – to *be* better.
Candi
Patricia I’m disappointed over your judgement of Ellie. There was absolutely nothing in her post that made a person think she was racist. She was just commenting on the happenings of where she lives (this is her blog and she’ll blog about what’s happening around her or what going on in her life or what she’s interested in) and she pointedly said it was
INHUMANE of what happened to George. We all think that and know that. How do you get her being racist out that I’d like to know? Just sayin…
Anonymous
she didn’t say Ellie was racist, she turned the tables and called her ‘clearly not anti-racist’ which isn’t the same thing at all. I don’t think, personally, there is much of anything Ellie could have said that someone didn’t disagree with, simply because she’s white. Let’s give her a break. This is her blog, after all. If we don’t agree, we can move on.
Anonymous
Hey, just wanted to clarify what “anti-racist” actually means. Patricia acknowledges that she isn’t calling Ellie racist. She doesn’t know Ellie personally, and since Ellie doesn’t write in the blog about race, racism, social justice, etc, she can’t make that judgement against Ellie.
To be anti-racist means to actively fight against racism. I think Patricia’s point (and one brought up by other comments) is that this post focuses more on the property damage, and does not acknowledge the egregious abuse of human rights through of police brutality and systemic racism that has created this social unrest. To be anti-racist would be to denounce systemic racism.
In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice.”
Anonymous
Very well said, Patricia
Amanda
A man was lynched in broad daylight, in full view of the public, by those employed by that very same public to serve and protect. That these men acted as they did as publicly as they did, while knowingly being videotaped, clearly shows that they had no fear of consequences. George Floyd’s murder was just another day at work for them. If this incident was a one off, it would be shocking and horrifying, but it’s not. It’s one more murdered black man in an inexcusably long continuum. This kind of weaponized racism is our nations most abiding shame.
People have protested non violently for decades, and those protests have been met with outrage. Things haven’t changed, and black men, and sometimes women and children, continue to die at the hands of police.
I see a distinction between the destruction of property and violence. I consider violence to be an act that occurs between the living.
These protests have been marked by both, and yes, that’s horrific. Not everyone will be able to pick up the pieces and start over. My local community also sustained significant damage. Volunteers are scrubbing graffiti off of buildings and monuments in lots of places, I bet you could volunteer to help clean up your city.
Imagine if all of those years of peaceful protest had led to real change. We’d all still be debating whether being required to wear a mask at Walmart is constitutional, and none of these protests would have happened.
George Floyd mattered, and he deserves justice. Without justice, lasting peace is impossible.
May you all sleep in safety tonight.
Anonymous
While I agree that rioting and looting are counterproductive and will do nothing to undermine the systematic racism that exists in America, Ellie – this really could have been a more balanced post. I have no doubt that as a true follower of Christ, you place more value on a man’s life than you do on property. However, that didn’t come across in this post. Had you previously spoken out against the loss of lives from police brutality, the perception of this post may have been different. However, to dedicate several paragraphs to lamenting property damage, and then to mention the loss of life that triggered the riots in just a few sentences at the end… Well, I don’t think this post reflects your true feelings. In the end, this is your blog and you have the right to post whatever you want. But you might consider that as a white Christian American with an online platform, there could be other ways to use this platform.
Ellie
Hi there. I agree–human life is infinitely more valuable than property. I am heartbroken for all the deaths that have happened over the past several days (George Floyd, protesters, passersby, and police officers). I believe that all of those lives are of equal value because I am very much a supporter of equal rights for ALL people. I don’t like the term “police brutality” because it lumps all police officers into one category. We have some close friends who are officers here in Nashville, and they are wonderful people who have dedicated their lives to serving the community. It’s a very thankless job, and they do it with such grace and dedication. I believe that the majority of officers in this country are great men and women who entered the field because they want to serve society. I am disgusted by the acts of the officers who have exercised unnecessary force and brutally harmed or killed others, and I think that those officers should be prosecuted. But it saddens me to see all police officers being blamed, when most of them are working tirelessly to protect our country. I hope that provides some clarification and reassures you that I support equality for all people. 🙂
Ellie
Ellie
Anonymous
The rioters are not just destroying buildings (and for those people who think insurance will pay for the loss, insurance does not cover destruction by riots), they have killed several people. How does killing another black man make up for the murder of George? How does destroying the only grocery store in an area where not many people have cars to get to other grocery stores help fight racism? How does destroying black businesses help racism? Why is it assumed the police officer was racist? We don’t know that. He may have just been power hungry. He had been reported several times over the years for using too much force. There are evil people in every type of job throughout our country. Let’s fight the evil by putting those breaking the law in jail and making the punishment fit the crime to serve as examples. Let’s love our fellowman and not assume anyone is racist. The color of anyone’s skin doesn’t determine their insides!
Anonymous
Standard property and business insurance does cover damage due to riots/civil unrest, including loss of use.
Anonymous
Thank you for your perspective on the use of the term police brutality. I never considered the term to imply that ALL police officers engage in unnecessary use of brutal force. I agree that generalizing all police officers based on the actions of a few is no better than stereotyping all people of color based on the actions of a few. But police brutality is a very real thing, and is often fueled by racism. Not overt “I hate blacks” racism, but the kind of racism that is ingrained in our society and affects how people of color are subconsciously viewed by people who are white. I just think it’s really important for people who are white to acknowledge that these problems exist. Personally, I don’t like to be made to feel as if I should have “white guilt.” I shouldn’t feel guilty for something I can’t control. But I can acknowledge that there are things I will never have to worry about because I am white. I don’t know how to fix the equality in our country, but at least if I choose to acknowledge it, that’s one step closer to everyone acknowledging it. I don’t have an online platform, so thank you for allowing me to post here. I just thought you could consider, if you use can your platform to speak out against the rioting and looting, why can’t you speak out against racism with equal passion?
Ellie
I very much agree. Thank you for your thoughtful comments!
Ellie
Anonymous
“Racism-a person who shows or feels discrimination or prejudice against people of other races, or who believes that a particular race is superior to another.”
Ellie’s response- “My heart breaks for the family and friends of George Floyd. The way he was treated was completely inhumane.”
I don’t know how you can say Ellie is not anti-racist. It’s certainly your right not to read the blog, but just because she’s not marching in the protests doesn’t mean she supports those who are racist.
Anonymous
When the pictures and story are around the destruction of property, with a sentence that misspelled his name to the man who lost his life under the brutal knees of a police officer…it seems like damaged property is more heart-rending than a black man’s public death.
If calling that out makes you uncomfortable or defensive, I’d respectfully suggest you explore why.
There was no ask for her to march. This didn’t even become about white versus black, in your definition.
It’s horrifying and heartbreaking to me that so many here think broken windows are worse, sadder, more worth talking about, than how George was killed.
We are calling out the problem of this post because – in word count and picture – it showed his life to be worth less than broken windows.
Anonymous
Come down off the soap box 4:21. Nobody is saying property is worth more than lives. Suddenly it’s not OK to talk about blatant property damage? Ellie and her readers can only talk about one thing, George? Everything else is automatically offensive or insensitive? No. They’re forever linked now.
Regina Shea
I agree. Ellie is NOT a racist and is definitely NOT anti-racist. And just because auto-correct changed Floyd to Lloyd( which it kept doing to me) doesn’t mean she doesn’t care about what happened to him or didn’t know his name. We all agree George Floyd’s murder was absolutely horrendous. But now because of looting and damage to buildings , there are people who were finally cleared to go back to work after lockdown, can’t now because their place of employment is damaged or not even there anymore because it’s been burned to the ground.
As a black woman Christian I’m totally disgusted by the attacks against Ellie.
I’m also disgusted at those who blame all police officers for the actions of bad cops. I have friends who are married to good officers who would lay down their lives to protect the public. And don’t get me started on the media with their fake news stories and fake photos.😠
Anonymous
I hope Ellie reads all these comments and reflects on them. Ellie, it sounds like you have done some reflecting on damages to businesses, and the actions of violent protestors. You are praying for Mr. Floyd, and his family. Perhaps what also needs reflection: when you look at the different branches of government, where are the black people; why do Black people have higher rates of illness, lower levels of education, and lower average income levels? We all do need to pray. Pray to learn to listen to the stories for discrimination and oppression and for the courage of leaders to take on the issues and begin work for change.
Mom of three
I really appreciate the fact that Ellie introduced this topic. Both sides have been heard and I hope that both sides learned something that is new. We all need to help solve the inequality issue concerning police relationships with black people so that we never have to see another person killed in this manner. Had the victim been an animal that was slowly deprived of air until he died, the outcry would have been much greater, yet some of us have to explain why there is so much anger bubbling up to the surface and exploding all around us. God, have mercy on your creation and forgive our sin.
anonymous
Brutal arrests happen to any race and I personally know of a person who looks very white who was beaten extremely severely about the head during an arrest the week prior to this event. People are being over reactive to make this issue so focused on race. It is about kindness and what’s kind about going crazy on each other in any circumstances?
Anonymous
@9:48 So right. We’re supposed to forget about race until we’re told to remember about race. No wonder people are confused and don’t know what to say or do. Cops thinking they’re all-powerful and the over-use deadly force are yet other matters.
Anonymous
You’re absolutely right that people of all races experience police brutality. This is why protesters are calling to defund the police create new systems to help citizens who are in trouble. Black people, however, experience police violence at rates that are significantly higher than white people (Edwards, Lee, and Esposito, 2019). Protesters aren’t making it about race. The data shows that this was always about race. The protesters are bringing attention to it and demanding change.
anonymous
Ellie you have taken on a current affairs topic with your best effort and that is admirable. At least you are a wife with some attention to matters beyond your four walls, baby, and the man coming in the door for meals. Heading a topic isn’t easy and people should not attack the messenger.
Kristine
I don’t condone the violence! George Floyd was unjustly murdered. But black people also unjustly murder other blacks. And white people whites. All the time.
Anonymous
Are all the Christians here ready to forgive that police officer yet?
Anonymous
@11:11 Good question. Absolutely nobody is talking about that. If the country’s leader can hold up a Bible, he can also be urging people to do what that book says about forgiving. Guess he didn’t have any Matthew chapters bookmarked.
Anonymous
He said it was “a Bible,” not “his Bible.” I’d be very surprised if there is a “his Bible” anywhere. That entire event was odd.
Anonymous
Ellie, you are a sweet person who got involved in conversation that is well beyond the events of last week. African Americans came to the nation as slaves , followed by a life of segregation , Jim Crow , stigma and such. We need to recognize the inequities of our society before judging the behaviors. It pains me to read the comments of Christians pointing at the “bad traits” of mr Floyd in order to mitigate and not recognize what our actions and lack of have resulted oin
Anonymous
Not all black people came to America as slaves, even as early as the 1700’s. There were free men and indentured servants who were free after their work period was up. Also, you can’t deny that George Floyd set off the chain of events that night. He was not randomly pulled over and dragged out of his car. Save that sympathy for when that really does happen.
Anonymous
We’re not supposed to identify people by their skin color, 10:04. But you brought up past history, reminding us about slavery, and thereby pointing out skin color. How do we move past this history if people keep talking about nothing but times of divisions?
You don’t get your criminal record erased either because some cops used undue force. You end up with a more complicated court case if you got caught doing something illegal and that happens. This case was extreme, but most cases get their turn in court. Jury of your peers and all that. One of the Constitutional rights that are talked about and loved so much.
Anonymous
Some people only care about the 2nd Amendment. Oh, and the 1st Amendment when there’s a virus.