I am heartbroken over the brutal murder of George Floyd in my former home of Minneapolis

Imen McDonnell has been calling a farm in Kilcolman, Co Limerick, home for 11 years but before that she spent ten years living in Minneapolis – a city she was proud to call home for its multiculturalism and liberal outlook. A fact that has left her feeling all the more outraged in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.

I am absolutely outraged and heartbroken over the brutal murder of George Floyd in my former home city of Minneapolis, a city that always prided itself on its multiculturalism; a city led by a council made up of liberals of every race, religion and sexual orientation, a city that has found so many ways to celebrate diversity. Woefully, Minneapolis is also a city with a police force that has a long history of racial profiling and hard core brutality. This is not an isolated incident.

Shades of brown

Many people of colour move to Minneapolis for a better life. To be accepted. That’s what George Floyd had done just a few years earlier

I was able to embrace and honour my own ethnicity as I graduated into adulthood in the Twin Cities where I was welcomed by peers of many different shades of brown, creating enduring friendships in those communities. Many people of colour move to Minneapolis for a better life. To be accepted. That’s what George Floyd had done just a few years earlier. There are so many stories like this. It’s part of what makes this hurt even more.

I march with them 

I feel the #blacklivesmatter message needs to be carried on through the demonstrations until justice is served for George Floyd, and for so many other black lives. There needs to be a commitment by leadership for radical, systemic change with regard to race in America. I do not condone the violence that is occurring during some of the protests—unfortunately many of those crimes are being committed by opportunists who have no regard for the cause, which is often the case in mass protesting of this magnitude. However, it must be noted that the majority of the #justiceforgeorgefloyd #blacklivesmatter marches have been peaceful and well organised. If I was there, I would be marching right along.

The fact is, black communities have never received equal justice and fair treatment in America

Virus of racism

The fact is, black communities have never received equal justice and fair treatment in America. The pain is DEEP. It’s REAL. It is LEGITIMATE. And, it is why there is an uprising happening in the USA, and all around the world. Institutions need to be dismantled and rebuilt from the ground up to eradicate the virus of racism in America, and we need leadership in a White House that is willing to carry this out.

Silence is compliance

Be actively involved – silence is compliance. Educate yourself on white privilege and follow anti-racism accounts. Stay informed and/or donate to:

@blklivesmatter

@naacp

@blackvisioncollective

@mnfreedomfund

@campaignzero

@nationalbailout

@unicorn.riot

@reclaimtheblack

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