Justice For George Floyd Is Served In Minneapolis - Change Is Gonna Come

People! I haven't posted here in a while, mainly because life has been so insane. There's been plenty to post about, and almost all of it has had something to do with the murder of George Floyd here in Minneapolis last May. Marches, art exhibits, protests, fundraisers, town meetings, petitions, social media posts, heated arguments ... all of it to try and get justice for a victim of police murder this time. And yesterday we got it. 

Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three murder counts yesterday, and Minneapolis erupted in a collective sigh of relief and complete jubilation through sobbing tears. People that weren't here cannot imagine what it felt like in the city. The TENSION. I'm somebody that has to DO something, or I'll go crazy, so yesterday I set out to get the vibe of the day, having no idea that a verdict would come in that afternoon. 

I began on Lake Street, where guys in yellow vests were everywhere, frantically boarding up the few glass windows that remained exposed. Business owners were torn about doing this again after the uprisings last May when Floyd was murdered, because you only board up if you think there's going to be riots, and there's only going to be riots if the murderer was found not guilty, and we didn't even want to let ourselves imagine that that could happen. But you also don't want to be sweeping up glass all over again, so most businesses caved in and threw up the plywood. 

 

Armored trucks and National Guard members with machine guns were patrolling nearly every corner. It was all very unsettling - but it didn't stop a couple from standing outside of my beloved Ingebretsen's trying to get some curbside sausage! (They were successful).

People were trying to go about their business, but you couldn't escape the ominous feeling of either impending doom or complete joy - it would only be one or the other, no in between. It's terribly sad that there was any sense of suspense AT ALL, as the entire world has watched George Floyd's life being snuffed out under Chauvin's knee on repeat for almost a year. 

There should have been exactly zero debate, but it's 2021 in America ... and you just never know. I had highly respected and intelligent activist friends tell me that thought there was no way Chauvin would be convicted. But we kept marching and yelling about it. We're EXHAUSTED, and I can only imagine how the Floyd family felt throughout. 

I decided to head downtown to see what it felt like, and I really didn't think there would be a verdict in until maybe the end of the week. It was so eerie. Very quiet, all was boarded up, and there again were National Guard people guarding - against the People. Very sad. Mary Tyler Moore was tossing up her hat in front of a fenced off Dayton's. 

First Avenue was done up in black boards, and featured a red star with George Floyd's name there with all the other luminaries. 

The Irish Bar across the street was locked up tight, and they too were rooting for George Floyd. 

I love that there are always people who try to brighten things up, and one boarded up street had a row of crocheted flowers all along that added a bit of cheer into a very heavy atmosphere. 

Nicollet Mall was on lockdown, but there too someone had come along to make it a little more beautiful amidst the chaos. 

Over at the Hennepin County Government Center, where the trial had been held, reporters lined the streets with their news cameras, but not very many.

The plaza in front of the Government Center had a few people milling around, being interviewed by out of town media, holding signs in support of George Floyd, and generally just waiting around for something to happen. Feeling a little bit helpless.

I chatted with some guys there in a car with Daunte Wright signs on it (the next police murder victim we have to fight for justice for, after he was unbelievably murdered during the trial just ten miles away!), and they were cautiously optimistic that there would be a guilty verdict. That was hard to hope for when you looked around at all the things being done to protect buildings and property from people that would be rightfully upset with any other verdict. I was truly and deeply afraid for the city that I grew up in, that it might never recover from such a blatant injustice. 

Suddenly there were murmurs going through the little cluster of reporters that a verdict had come in and might be read in the next hour! WHAT?! As I have been torn the entire year, I was again torn at staying put to see what happened, or going home because I'm the main caregiver to both my Mom and brother right now, and if something went really bad, I really can't risk something happening to me that I can avoid. TOUGH ONE for me, who likes to be in the mix all the time, but this was HISTORY. I headed home as fast as I could. 

The news was already on, and Mom and I sat on the edges of our seats. The spot where I had just been standing at the Government Center was now filled with thousands of hopeful and nervous Minnesotans. At just after four pm, the jerk Judge (didn't like him the whole time, very condescending and power tripping) took the mic, and began reading the counts. I was sweating, shaking, already in tears. When I heard the first "GUILTY", I jumped up and screamed. The second "GUILTY" had me sliding down to my knees. The third "GUILTY!" collapsed me into heaving sobs of relief and bittersweet happiness. That FOR ONCE justice had been served, but that didn't bring back the life of George Floyd for his family. It didn't convict Daunte Wright's murderer, or all the other many, many victims of police murder and brutality - but it did FINALLY show accountability in law enforcement, and the hint of better days ahead for everyone - IF we keep all the feet to the fire. And we WILL. I needed to get back out there immediately, for now I knew that there would be no danger - only my People rejoicing. 

My phone was almost dead and texts started flying in as the rest of the country heard the good news too. I knew George Floyd Square would be the place to go, but I had to charge my phone! I paced around and watched the joy and tears on the news until I had enough juice to go capture it for myself and all of the people around the world that I knew were sharing in our relief and elation. 

I had to park a few blocks away, but you could hear the celebration easily from there. Everyone was masked up but smiling with their eyes. Passing by people on the way to George Floyd Square (38th and Chicago), we'd say things like, "Happy day!" and it really, really was. 

It got louder as I got closer to the Square, and more and more people were arriving in droves. Old folks in wheelchairs, hyper elated teenagers, little babies strapped to their parents' chests, strollers, white kids holding "Black Lives Matter" signs ... it was the scene of humanity we all hope for, united in their same cause. It was beautiful. 

There were speeches in the middle of the sea of humanity, all met with thunderous applause and cheers. Chants went up for George Floyd, and it was way better this time, because we knew that George DID get justice, at least in the sense that his murderer will PAY. 

Grills were being fired up, and food handed out to any and all who needed or wanted it. This was the street party we'd all been waiting for - and there was one just as big happening at the same time downtown! I imagine (and hope) it was happening in every household all over the city too. Pure ecstasy in the eyes of all that you met. It was an extra special day that I'll never forget, and was so happy to be a part of. We had WORKED for it.

Of course there remains much to do. The awful MPD must be reformed, but I'm doubtful it can, so it may have to be reimagined as a peacekeeping force of some kind, because it ain't working. We have to get justice for all of the other victims of police murder. We have to prevent these murders from ever happening in the first place. We have to examine the racist tendencies of normal, every day people too, because their tolerance is how this injustice has persisted for so long. 

 

As happy as I was yesterday, I was also a little bit sad, because I was alone, as I have been for most of the actions around the George Floyd murder for the last almost year. I would have no problem finding marching buddies in L.A., but here I almost never could. People aren't comfortable talking about race things here that much, and I can't stop talking about it. I had childhood friends mad at me for being on the 35W Bridge marching when that psycho in the Semi truck came barreling through. Not concerned about me, but thinking I was a dumbass for being there. I've had some say "I donate" or whatever, because they can't bring themselves to be out in the streets showing up for justice. It's been really sad and hard for me, but not enough to stop me from showing up. And I'm a much richer, much better person for it, and hold out hope that they will join me one day. Change is coming, and you'd better be ready for it. 

I have met so many good people, out doing the work, out fighting the fight, out making the art (the ART! SO much of it - they all deserve their own story), out getting into the "Good Trouble". I don't think anyone ever imagined that real change in systemic police brutality and systemic racism would come in a city like Minneapolis, but why not? It IS happening, and it all kind of makes more sense to me now as to why I'm still here (aside from the pandemic, that is).

Today is the five year anniversary of Prince's death, and I wouldn't be surprised if there might have been some divine intervention in play. Prince was all about social justice and equal rights, and he certainly would not want to see his city burn - which it definitely would have. It's a better day in Minneapolis today - and also in the whole world. Now we all know that police WILL be held accountable. We know that people from all walks of life will stand with each other in solidarity in the face of outright evil. And we all did this together. Don't forget that this would all have just been another little incident swept under the dirty police carpet if now for the bravery of Darnella Frazier, the true hero of this whole story. And now we must all be Darnella Frazier. Speaking up, filming, whatever it takes to be sure that we put an end to systemic racism once and for all. It's not that hard to love, and I for one am not threatened by melanin. No one should be. C'mon. It's 2021. Time to grow up, America. 

The sun began to set on this historic day, but the party at 38th and Chicago showed no signs of stopping, as a brass band led a kind of second line around the square. At this point I realized that I had forgotten to eat anything the entire day, and was about to faint from starvation - and emotion.

I walked back to the car, raising my fist to all who passed, and getting one back every time. This time HAD been different. We HAD gotten some sense of justice for George Floyd and his family. And we knew that we could do it again. And WILL.

So much love to all of Minneapolis, and all around the world who joined together in this struggle to make better days ahead for ALL people. As much as we know there is still to do, I fell into an exhausted sleep with a smile on my face, ready to get up and get going again today. 

When there is justice, there IS peace. But there is also actual, tangible joy, and we all felt it here in Minneapolis on April 20, 2021. Praise JAH! 

 

 

Happy Juneteenth National Holiday!

Today we all celebrate Juneteenth, the end of slavery in the United States! Well, not the real end, because it took two and a half years for the news to get to the entire country finally on June 19, 1865. And also not the real end, because Black Lives in America often still feel enslaved because of the awful treatment they continue to be subjected to - and that will no longer be tolerated in this nation.

In the weeks since the murder of George Floyd at the hands of brutal Minneapolis Police Officers (don't you wish the news would call that like it is? Instead of "when George Floyd died in police custody", or however else they try to lighten it up with), there have been actions in support of Black Lives every day, and they will continue until the police brutality stops (which they just can't seem to bring themselves to do - STILL), and there is justice and equality for ALL citizens. They just will. And should.

In addition to the marching and protesting that we simply can't let up on, it has also been a time for reflection and learning. There are so many resources available on how to be an Anti-Racist, that there really is no excuse not to.

There are several great films that I have watched in the last couple of weeks that really give insight as to what our Black brothers and sisters have been - and ARE - dealing with forever, and as to what absolutely must change. Start with 13th on Netflix.

After that MUST watch, watch Blindspotting. A harrowing story of what it feels like to be a Black man just going about the business of his own life, and being terrified about being killed by Police every single day. It's so tense, and I felt sick to my stomach that my friends have had to feel like this their entire lives. We all have to work together to bring them the relief that they are FREE and can live like they are.

I watched Seberg on Amazon last night, about the actress Jean Seberg, who became a star of the French New Wave, but was a country girl from Iowa who strongly supported The Black Panthers - and had her life completely ruined as punishment by our garbage government for doing so. I really identified with her, because I'm very outspoken about my feelings about the overt racism in this country - and just got out of Twitter Jail for it (as Trump is allowed to spew his hate and disinformation freely - disgusting). That won't deter me - nothing will. And Jean was the same way. Please give it a watch as you look for inspiration on how to be an ally.

Spike Lee's new joint Da 5 Bloods on Netflix isn't nearly a perfect film, but it does shed some light on what it was like to be a Black soldier in Vietnam, and how the U.S. Armed Forces put them on the front lines to die first, as they were considered expendable. Man, we sure have a lot of work to do to make up to our Black and Brown citizens for the horrors this country has put them through, even as they have fought to protect it. Shameful, and a permanent scar on our nation's face.

I'm halfway through reading Washington Black by Esi Edugyan, a beautifully written story about a young slave boy and the adventures of his life. Slavery is so disgusting, and when you read about the daily horrors inflicted on these people, you wonder how in the world they could ever even begin to forgive this country ... so the very least we can do - THE VERY LEAST - is to put an end to them being murdered by Police in our modern world. Like, it's just beyond shocking to me that it STILL happens - but then it isn't either.

We've clearly got so much work cut out for us, as reading any comment section on any post about this topic clearly shows. Some people - usually with a MAGA type profile picture - are so backwards thinking and so uneducated about life in 2020 that you almost want to give up on them - but we can't. We need them to STOP IT TOO. The daily videos of privileged white people still trying to oppress Black lives are so sad and embarrassing ... but I have to believe they're still acting out because they know their days are numbered and their pathetic little outbursts are the last gasps of a dying breed. They have to be.

And we ALL have to be advocates. Gone are the days when someone would say something on the edge of being racist and everyone just kind of moves on. That shit needs to be called out WHEN it happens, and made clear that YOU won't put up with it. Consider this fair warning that if anything like that is uttered in my presence, you will be made to feel like the gross dumbass you are. And you won't soon forget it. If that means I get less invites from people that like to be racist, cool with me. Bye.

I'm going to celebrate every Juneteenth with music by Black artists, viewing entertainment by Black artists, cooking from Black restaurants, and supporting all Black businesses. Today I went to the Calhoun Square (Bde Maka Ska Square?) in Uptown Minneapolis to see all of the murals that have gone up there since the murder of George Floyd by brutal Minneapolis Police Officers (maybe if we say it enough it will sink in). They are wonderful - and it would be great if they could be permanent.

In the three and a half weeks since George Floyd's murder at the hands of the murdering MPD, I have felt a unity in this city - and in this WORLD - that I've never felt before. Sane and compassionate people of all races and styles have all come together to insist that Justice is served for all Black Lives, and to insist that the days of ALL being treated EQUALLY is HERE. It's HERE. We're living it in real time, and it's something spectacular to behold.

We must not let up. We must not give in. We must stay united. And we must live with LOVE - for ALL. C'mon, Everybody! Once things are great for everyone, they really WILL be great. But not until then. To KNOW Justice -  is to KNOW Peace.

Please, as a way to celebrate and honor Black Lives, PLEASE remember to LOVE, not HATE (as my friend's daughter, Lucy, painted here!)  Just start there. With empathy.

Happy Juneteenth, America!!!

38th & Chicago - A Sacred Space For One Human Family

Yesterday was the anniversary of the day we lost my Dad to awful cancer when I was four. It is always a sad day for us, but was especially so this year, because the world itself is so sad, but also because I'm currently in our childhood home taking care of my Mom and older brother, and we found three big boxes of love letters to my Mom from my Dad that she just blazed through, so she's missing him extra this year. She raised myself and my two brothers all by herself since then, and we have first hand knowledge of how hard that was, and what George Floyd's children now have to feel for the rest of their lives. Mom has been watching it all on the news due to the pandemic, but really wanted to see it for herself. We thought a good way to honor both my Dad and Mr. Floyd would be to visit the memorial scene at the now sacred ground at 38th and Chicago in South Minneapolis. We took all the precautions we could, and off we went. And I'm SO glad we did.

It feels a bit like a street fair as you approach the intersection of the site where Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis Police just over a week ago. The whole world has exploded in outrage over it, and this corner of our city will never be the same - nor should it be. THIS time simply must be different. And LASTING. The entire planet is together in this uprising, going through the five stages of grief in different time zones around the globe like we're doing The Wave. I think Minneapolis is now in organizing mode, possibly depression ... with acceptance looming up ahead. But we need to go further in our grief ... to be BETTER, not just accepting.

Parents were there with children. I was there with my Mom in a wheelchair. Elderly people were heading that direction with walkers. Literally every walk of life was there to pay their respects, see it for themselves, and to show their solidarity in this struggle for systemic JUSTICE over systemic MURDER. It is so powerful to see.

Helpers remain everywhere, and this intersection was full of them. Booths were set up to distribute prepared food for everyone there, all for free. We had some delicious empanadas because the darling women would not take no for an answer, and about a hundred people were asking if anyone was hungry or thirsty, and then making sure that they weren't.

There was also an area to distribute food boxes, fresh produce and canned goods, gallons of milk, diapers and cleaning products ... anything that anyone needed due to their area's stores being boarded up or destroyed was there and free of charge, thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers and donations. Minnesota will have your back.

Seeing the actual stretch of sidewalk where Floyd had the life choked out of him by a man paid to serve and protect all of us is SUPER emotional. I had already been there, but it hit my sweet Mom very hard. Especially because of the significance of the date for our family. She was openly crying, and I think that was good for everyone to see. That a little elderly Scandinavian white woman in a wheelchair cared enough to be there to show her support, even in a pandemic. People could not have been sweeter, creating wide paths for us to traverse through the crowd, and saying that they appreciated her being there. I hope so much that the people who have been SO judgemental about the very necessary protests will find it in their hearts to visit this place for themselves, to gain a little bit of understanding of the situation, and dig deep to find where the empathy lives inside of themselves. It will change your perspective, and it will make you a better person for being there. Of that I have no doubt.

An older Black man was playing his guitar, when a teenaged looking white boy came along with his own guitar to join him in a jam. It was just one of the many displays of unity and one love that touched my heart while we were there, but then every single thing fully squeezed my heart, both in sadness, anger, and full on inspiration that through all of this we will have created a much better future.

I've had people who know me and how deeply I care and feel about this situation literally defending the driver of the semi that barreled through our peaceful protest on Sunday before even asking how I was. The same people who know that Minnesotans stop on a dime for a duck, thinking that a professional driver of a gas tanker somehow couldn't get it together to hit his brakes for thousands of people up ahead? I mean, c'mon. No charges for him, either. I got a speeding ticket for being 10 miles over limit ten feet away from the sign saying the speed I was going, but this guy doesn't get even a citation for nearly killing scores of innocent and peaceful protesters. Give me a fucking break. And if language bothers you more than murder of innocent, unarmed, handcuffed people, go look in the mirror and ask yourself what is wrong with you ... and why. Then please work on that, for the sake of us all. Growth is crucial to a well-lived life. I'm ultra-done arguing with anyone who still doesn't get it. Going forward, I'm really only interested in how people are helping this cause, and if you're not helping, it's time for another trip to the mirror to search yourself for why not. Opportunities to help are vast, from in-home phone calling and emailing and donating for change, to out on the streets, cleaning, feeding, marching, showing your face in support. There is something for everyone to do, and zero excuse not to. Thank you in advance!

It absolutely baffles me how hard it is for some people to grasp this global situation, and how it has been brewing for centuries. How this upheaval should have happened a long time ago, and how vigils and voting historically hasn't done much. Nearly all positive change in this country has come from civil unrest, and if you don't know that, I don't know how to help you. What I DO know is that history will look back on this time in our country, and I know that I'll be on the beautiful, right side of it. Will you? Minneapolis people don't get to claim Prince or Lizzo, and then NOT stand up for Black Lives Matter. You just don't. You also don't get to tell your grandkids that you had anything to do with changing the world, because you didn't - unless you get out and get involved NOW. You are needed. It will take every one of us to right the wrongs that have plagued this country since even before it officially was one. Let's together say enough is enough. Please.

Anyway, I digressed for a moment, and want to return the focus to what a completely beautiful and inspiring place it is to be at 38th and Chicago. Music played, people danced, people consoled, and strangers told each other that they loved them. Despite the horror that occurred exactly here on May 25th ... Memorial Day ... this will now forever be a place that is ALWAYS Memorial Day ... sacred and beautiful, because this is where maybe - just maybe - true civil rights began. There will most likely be a museum here. Don't be late to the party.

By the time we went back to our car, Mom's tears had turned from despondently sad to positively hopeful. That through these times we can see the light up ahead ... for everyone. And for good. She was so glad she went. I was so glad she went. I can hear her on the phone telling her friend about it now, and it makes me even more proud to call her my Mom. I didn't get to know my Dad nearly as well, but he was a member of the National Guard, and I'd like to think he would have stuck up for me out there. I'm so sorry to George Floyd's that they won't get to have their Dad anymore either, but I hope they know how much his life has now meant to all of us. A true and lasting legacy to be proud of forever, around the world.  I don't want my Dad to be forgotten either, so here's a shot of him in his grooviest prime.

One Human Family, I love you all, and I will work for and speak out for you and what's right as long as I'm lucky to be breathing. To the ones who are somehow not on board with this sentiment, I'll hope that you will educate yourselves and find your empathy soon, because your world depends on it too. ONE LOVE.

*A small victory: All four murdering officers have now been charged. Our actions are doing something. Not nearly enough, but this is something. On to the permanent end to systemic murder, violence, and gross inequality to people of color by this society. EVERYONE has had enough.