Dear Editor,
The world, Guyanese and Caribbean people included, was horrified by the way African American George Floyd died last May during a routine arrest for allegedly using a fake $ 20 bill to buy goods from a store. After restraining, a police officer placed his knee on Floyd’s neck denying him access to air, suffocating him and killing him.
As a Guyanese and an East Indian, I was horrified and shocked by the action of the police. Furthermore, I was sad about the killing. The incident was gut wrenching, leading to widespread condemnation of his action and of police dealing with non-white people. There was justified condemnation of police action and angry rage. There was also violence, robbery and robberies. Minorities suffered the most.
Around the world, compassion and empathy for Floyd was displayed as a video recording on a mobile phone repeatedly showed on TV of Chauvin’s unbeatable act resting his knee on Floyd’s neck until he passed out. The officer, Derek Chauvin, who showed a lack of respect for the life of that African American man, was charged, prosecuted, and convicted. He was held accountable for his actions by a jury of his peers. This is unprecedented in most of America as police officers are rarely brought to justice for their actions injuring or killing people.
The conviction has resonated well with Guyanese and Caribbean people, among all communities, across America. The trial was fair and due process was put in place. It has revived calls for the account of racial inequality in America and the justice system. Not only Blacks, Asians, Hispanics, and other minorities have also suffered at the hands of racist cops.
Around the world, compassion and empathy for Floyd was displayed as a video recording on a mobile phone repeatedly showed on TV of Chauvin’s unbeatable act resting his knee on Floyd’s neck until he passed out.
Chauvin’s conviction sends a strong message across America that the police would be held accountable for their actions, and can and will be prosecuted. The ruling also highlights the need for reforms in the way the police carry out their work.
While highlighting long-ignored police minority abuses, the entire episode helps people revisit how they see people of other ethnicities. All hate crime and violence are wrong. In America, racists are found in every community. People of all races have attacked Indians and other Asians in America. Indo-Guyanese, considered as Asians, have also been the targets of attacks. Indians and other Asians face unseen racism, despite being viewed as a minority ethnic community because of their success and achievements in America – especially in dominating the medical, science, engineering and technical fields .
Indo-Guyanese and other Asians live close to the Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, and other peoples. Since coming to America over the past fifty years, they have helped grow decayed neighborhoods, such as the South Bronx, Jamaica, Richmond Hill, etc., into vibrant multi-ethnic communities. They should not be targeted or selected by people of other ethnicities.
Justice was served in Floyd’s case. The police, like all citizens, must respect the rule of law. But policy has to change too. The Floyd case should also motivate people to take action to demand justice for crimes in their country or their communities no matter where they live. Haresh Singh needs for example justice; no arrest was made for his murder by the police some thirteen months ago. The Floyd event highlights the need for Guyanese Americans, Indians, Africans, and others, to work with other groups to confront racism. The conviction can be an initiative for change in ethnic relations, in the way members of one group view others. Also, while there is a conviction, racism will not end in America easily. Much needs to be done to combat racism and everyone must do their bit to combat hatred and ethnically inspired thefts against Asians.
Truly,
Vishnu Bisram Dr.