So for those of you not in America let me apprise you of a new situation that's been going one since May 25. This is not a post about politics. This is a post about humanity.

On May 25 police were called by a store owner over an alleged counterfeit $20 being used at a local deli in Powertown Minneapolis Minnesota. When the police arrived they arrested a man named George Floyd. The man was trying to comply with officers when it was handcuffed on the ground and an officer named Derek Michael Chauvin kneeled on his neck for an extended period of time, while Mr. Floyd said that he could not breathe and eventually passed out. He was later pronounced dead. No other officers at the scene intervened or checked on the suspect until after ambulances arrived at the scene. There is no case for self defense, there is no case for this was an accident. This was 100% avoidable, and preventable. All that there is to question is if this was intentional, neglect, or incompetence. And none of those can be excused in this case.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_George_Floyd

This has resparked the Black Lives Matter movement at the WORST POSSIBLE time, in a world dealing with a global plague. In Philadelphia, the birthplace of American liberty, is basically now under Martial law. People initially gathered in a forceful but entirely peaceful and righteous protest at the extensive and disproportionate use of force ONCE AGAIN used by police officers on unarmed black citizens.

But by the end of yesterday there have been extensive cased looting and property destruction including several buildings and police cruisers set on fire.

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/hundreds-gather-at-philly-city-hall-for-george-floyd-demonstration/2413220/

The anger is palpable and just, but it's turning into this disgusting sight of violence and destruction all over the country. It's creating more division and anger at a critical time when human solidarity is needed. We can no longer afford to be divided over stupid shit like race, gender etc. We should be past this by now.

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/frank-rizzo-statue-should-be-gone-in-a-month-or-so-kenney-says/2414157/

So this is just a reminder to put what's really important in perspective. At the end of the day, were are all human beings, we are all deserving of respect, dignity, life, and liberty. Mr. Floyd's life was senselessly taken without reason, without resistance over a $20 bill; a goddammed piece of paper.

You know what I want to think of myself? As a human being. Because, I mean I don't want to be like "As Confucius say," but under the sky, under the heavens there is but one family. It just so happens man that people are different.
Bruce Lee: The Lost Interview (1971)

Should we be angry, absolutely. Should we protest, definitely. Should we riot? How does that further the message? Is that what George Floyd would have wanted? Is that how his family wants his death to be remembered?

We need to do better, we need to BE better. ALL OF US.

Oh and just a follow up based on some of the answers that the Commissioner of my city provided. A LOT of people arrested had addresses that came from outside the city. A LOT of them where white. It's not yet been identified how many have ties to supremacist groups or other provocateur groups, but they were present. Their actions have been noted, and they are seen.

Been seeing it on the news. The original incident was utterly horrific, the rage it unleashed is completely understandable, but the violence and destruction is still heartbreaking.

I really do not understand racism. It's an utterly evil ideology, and yet it seems to be everywhere, it's rampant over here. We as a species need to do better, much better.

Stay safe. I really hope no-one from the UMD is affected.

It has definitely been an interesting weekend watching everything play out. Been watching through various live streams from friends all over the country. I have seen examples of the best in people like in Flint where the Sheriffs joined the protest to people in Minnesota trying to help the injured. I have seen where the police decided a little paint on a building was not worth the possible tensions that could start. I have seen officers back away when people wanted to destroy the vehicle of an old idiot that brought a bow and arrow to the protest to shoot people he disagreed with. When silent protesting did not work, when hashtags trending did not work we get this. Everyone was pissed when Colin Kaepernick took a knee but not when the officer took a knee on George Floyd's neck. America has problems. Systemic problems that are not going to be fixed over night. They won't even be fixed in weeks or months. There is an issue where the police investigate themselves and find they did nothing wrong. The fact that things like that are allowed to happen shows how far we have to go.

Minor correction - new video from another angle shows *three* policemen kneeling on Floyd, not just the one.

Racism, by it's nature, isn't rational.

One cannot reason a person out of a position they didn't reason themselves in to.

We have more and more tools everyday to shine the light on the injustice. But unfortunately, until we ALL agree bear witness of it and take steps to end it, it will continue on.

Kpfrk it might seem bad but try to skype friends if your area is still under lockdown, if lockdown is lifted spend time with the people that matter to you. Make each others lives and the lives of those who you can impact better and allow them to get you out of your head. Fear and depression are more dangerous in isolation and you have more support if you reflect on the day to day.

Upset to see my old neighborhood in Philly under excessive siege by police force. Unfortunately the proper narrative will never be spread by media outlets. We simply have each other and videos caught from phones.

Despite the hardships, there's been a hell of a lot of solidarity, all around the country, and that is a wonderful thing.

I very much appreciate someone bringing this up here.