Taking Action: Houston’s Response to the Life and Death of George Floyd – June, 2020

A Special Message from our President and CEO

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered after being pinned on the ground under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.

His last words, “I can’t breathe,” have become an infamous mark throughout the protests that erupted across the world in response to his death. While Floyd’s unjust death is not the first to occur in the Black community and unfortunately not the last, his death, for me and so many others, was the tipping point. The eyes of the nation have finally been open to the ongoing, unjust treatment that Black Americans experience and fear on a daily basis. Enough is enough. Now is the time for change. At d-mars.com, we do not shy away from the truth, especially when it comes to bettering the lives of the people in our community.

I believe it is essential that America understands the plight of the black community, especially the black men in this country. We choose to speak up and fight against the racism, prejudice and unfair obstacles that we must overcome simply to accomplish anything and be treated fairly. The world needs to know there is a difference when it comes to treatment from police based on race; and finally, the eyes of the world have been opened to what Black America has been saying for years. I feel that this one incident finally opened people’s eyes to what has been an ongoing issue for far too long. The murder of Mr. Floyd was done in broad daylight, on camera. This wasn’t a movie; it was real life. And it was over something as simple as a $20 bill that could have landed in the hands of anyone.

As a Black man from Houston, Texas just like George Floyd, this one hit home. Every Black man in this country can share the same thought of “that could’ve been me.” We have all experienced it in some form. For me, growing up, profiling and racial discrimination happened so much and so often that it just seemed normal, especially when we had white police officers in black neighborhoods who didn’t understand the culture or the people.

I remember coming home from the military on leave, and my brother had rented a car to come and pick me up. On our way back to our neighborhood we got pulled over by two police officers who ran up to our car with guns drawn, flung open our doors and pointed their guns at us simply because we fit a description of someone they were looking for. No questions asked, just the unfortunate coincidence of fitting a description. It blew my mind that I just took an oath and spent time risking my life fighting for my country, only to come back and be treated like less than a human by that same country just because of my skin color.

Because of experiences like this, I have dedicated 21 years of my life to inspiring, informing and educating the community on who the Black community really is. So often the Black community is portrayed negatively in the media, fueling stereotypes of Black Americans being dangerous, uneducated criminals. I wanted to do my part in changing that. We cover what is often left out of mainstream media. We show the prominent, successful, good, hardworking Black community that we know but is easily overlooked and unseen. Through d-mars.com, the world gets to see my community as I see it. We show them that not every black person is a criminal. That we are educated and successful and caring individuals. My desire is to make a difference and show our community in a brighter light.

For me, the protests against the death of George Floyd marked a new beginning. One thing I witnessed that touched me was seeing the younger generation, Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, showing up at the event and advocating for the fair and equal treatment of Black lives. It was so refreshing to see that our brothers and sisters of different races showed up and made the effort to understand the lives that Black Americans live. It made me see that this is no longer just a black problem, it is a community problem, and people are speaking up and showing up to create change for their neighbors. As a black community, we can appreciate that people aren’t just sitting on the sidelines anymore. The inequality in jobs, leadership, opportunity, education, the criminal justice system and so many other areas is finally being seen.

My hope is that people continue the fight and continue educating themselves. This starts with digging more into black history to better understand why this isn’t just about George Floyd, that he was just the tipping point. When we saw on video a white officer kneeling on a black man’s neck with his hand in his pocket like it’s no big deal, it felt like all the issues the black community had been fighting for were unseen and unheard. That opened people’s eyes.

There shouldn’t be a Black America and a White America. There should be one America made up of different cultures that are treated and appreciated equally. The last time I read the constitution it claimed that all men were created equally and had an equal opportunity to the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. That’s the America we need and want. And now is the time to make that change.

But change will not happen overnight, so I encourage you all to continue the fight. To continue educating and listening and learning. To continue voting and encouraging others to vote. If the leaders we elect are not for us, then how can we ever expect things to change.

As always, we thank all of you for continuing to support us and stand with us. It takes a village to make things happen, and we would not be here if it weren’t for our readers, supporters and friends.

 

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

President and CEO

d-mars.com

 

Thoughts from Community:

1. Ethan Sims; 7th grade student Lanier Middle School

George Floyd’s death was a wake-up call for me and others.  This was a wake-up call because the people (the police), who are here to protect the citizens are doing the harm.  I didn’t realize racism was that bad.  It was on video, in our face and a clear sign of injustice. My first response was, “This is wrong.”  Being a black boy, it was scary to believe this could really be my future.  It is scary that if you can’t trust the police, then who do you call if you are in trouble?

 

2. Tiffany Massie Davis; Registered Nurse Educator – E-PIC Training Center, Inc.

The result of racism is prejudice, discrimination or antagonism directed against another group because of your skin color or ethnicity. I am a Christian and believe the bible when it says, “the death of Jesus Christ eliminated the things that once caused separation.”   As an educator, teaching diverse groups, George Floyd’s death has caused me to be more intentional on seeing people through the lens of Christ. His death reminded me that equal rights and education for all is necessary.  Where rage and frustration would surface, being intentional about “calling it out” with love and respect is needed.  Some people may be ignorant.

 

3. Dave Moss; Franchise Owner, McDonald’s

Did the death of George Floyd  inspire you to take action or change the way you were already taking action against injustice ?

I think that the death of George Floyd has inspired me to take a more active level of involvement in insuring that all of our people, especially the younger generations, understand the power of the vote at the local, state and national levels. We cannot sit back and simply let others control our leadership and representation at these levels. We cannot let others decide laws that will govern our lives and affect our everyday existence. The persons we elect might determine the living conditions, the educational circumstances, access to adequate health care or the economic circumstances of our neighborhoods. Our younger generations have in recent elections been somewhat apathetic and detached from the political process. The unfortunate, unfair death of George Floyd has brought the continued horrendous treatment of Black citizens to the forefront AGAIN, after years and years of its existence. We must reach out and assure that the history of the movement and struggle for fair and just treatment of Blacks remains at the forefront. We must continue to explain our history in detail, so the struggle is understood and never forgotten. We must reach out to the generations to help them understand the importance, the strength and the power of our vote.

 

4. Ingrid Robinson; President/CEO- Houston Minority Supplier Development Council

The recent events have given all American’s the opportunity to have a candid conversation between people of color, their friends, family members and members of their community. Open dialogue in regard to years of social injustice and the black experience in America is critical to bringing about change that addresses the social inequities. I have been encouraged by the call to action members outside of the black community have demonstrated. I hope the fever pitch for change does not dwindle as time passes. We need citizens of all races to push our elected officials to enact legislative change that will begin to bridge the gap created by racism.

 

5. Marcus Bowers; Entrepreneur, She’s Happy Hair

This one was different from the others for a lot of reasons. It was super close to home, being that George Floyd is a native of the Tre, Houston, TX. The H has to see it through that justice is really served, along with swift reform on murder and accountability in the police departments.

I wouldn’t want my city to not go back to business as usual if this happened to me. The video evidence left no room for the officers or those representing them to manufacture another excuse for killing an unarmed black man on Memorial Day. A day that America and veterans like myself remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice, like Micah Xavier Johnson.

Protect and serve not just overseas in uniform but also right here in our communities, even from the police.

Who do you call when you need protection from the ones that’s supposed to protect you?

 

6. U.S. Congressman Al Green

What are some next steps you will take or encourage others to take against unjust treatment of Black Americans?

“Mr. Floyd’s on-camera, modern-day lynching confirmed something for me: we must seek justice for America’s original sin – racism – and all other forms of invidious discrimination. To that end, I filed a resolution declaring unconditional war on racism and invidious discrimination and providing for Congress to pass legislation, which I intend to file, to establish a Cabinet-level Department of Reconciliation charged with eliminating racism and invidious discrimination. We cannot rest until we end the recurrence of such vicious and merciless actions by law enforcement agents against unarmed black people and all other innocent civilians across our nation.”

 

7. Carol Y. Guess, ESQ.; Attorney & Chair of the Board of Directors, Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce

First, I would encourage the Black community to engage in cooperative economics to control our destiny.  The Greater Houston Black Chamber has consistently  supported Black-owned businesses through our Buy Black” campaign at www.houstonbuyblack.com.   A strong economic foundation in our community will enable us to control and remedy many of the ills that ravage us.  Also, financially support the work that the Chamber and other groups do to support our community.

Second, all people should vote for the candidates that support the change they want to see.  Everyone should make sure they are registered to vote, and exercise that right.

 

8. Senator Borris Miles

Why do you think George Floyd’s death was such a wake-up-call for some people?

It was such a wake- up call because it was the epitome of a public lynching. We saw that officer put his knee on George Floyd’s neck for 8:46, there was no looking away or explaining away, America was slapped in the face with the harsh reality of what Black folks are still living through.  How many more unarmed black brothers and sisters must die at the hands of white police officers, neighborhood watch volunteers and people feigning citizen arrests? We must ask America today the same question that civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer posed over 50 years ago when she addressed a committee at the Democratic National Convention, “Is this America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, where [blacks] . . . [are] threatened daily, because we want to live as decent human beings, in America?” I too, along with so many others, are “sick and tired of being sick and tired” of the systemic and structural racism and discrimination that exists within the health care, economic, criminal justice, education and housing systems of this country. Enough is Enough!

 

9. State Rep. Jarvis Johnson

Police brutality against Black people has gone on since the creation of police forces. This has never been a secret to the Black community, but since the invention of video cameras and phones, it has been brought from darkness to light. Other races are seeing what we’ve known for years. Now in order for police brutality to stop in Black communities, there must be consequences to police for the irresponsible and illegal activities they have perpetrated on our community. It’s not enough to see officers placed on desk duty or fired or even charged. Justice is served when these criminal officers are CONVICTED and sent to jail for long periods of time. We must have a cultural shift from juries giving police the benefit of doubt, to evaluating them equally and fairly. Without the sympathy of juries, the killers of Tamir Rice, Eric Garner and many others would be locked up.

Police officers have to be held to the same law as any citizen. A cop can’t shoot an unarmed Black man because “he feared for his life”. Without a weapon there is no fear of life, so that officer must be convicted just as any citizen would be.

 

10. Terrance H. Johnson; Senior Pastor and Founder, Higher Dimension Church

Question:

What are some next steps you will take or encourage others to take against unjust treatment of Black Americans?

Answer:

#1 Welcome your emotion from a healthy place. Healthy meaning, allowing the emotions you feel to visit you, process them, but don’t let them take residence in your life. Get angry but do not sin!

#2 Talk about it. Connect with others in your community and express your processed thoughts, lean in and listen to what others have to say. We can feel, but the point of positive communication amongst our communities is to help offer right perspectives.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Ephesians 4:29 NIV

#3 Serve. Serving others, comforting others gives purpose to healing and recovery for yourself and those you aid. Mentoring young black men and women in our communities, connect with your local church to serve African American elders will lift both your spirit and theirs.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.“

2 Corinthians 1:4 NIV

#4 Get involved. The most basic action we can take against racism is to VOTE. Connecting with local councilman that support policies and programs for the rights of black people is how we push back and repel racist ideas.

Faith without works is dead.

#5 Be a peacemaker. With so much happening in our world, we need people who will have the courage to reach across and into other cultures and communities. Being open to hearing from our Caucasian communities, creating relationships and being bold enough to share your heart with them that they may not understand but get insight to the plight of the African American will promote healing between races.

“Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Matthew NIV 5:9

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

 

11. Keith J. Davis, Jr.

Robert Kennedy once said, “Tragedy is a tool for the living to gain wisdom.” And through the tragedy and the death of former Houstonian George Floyd, I’ve been inspired to gain wisdom and understanding of the struggles and challenges we still face. It has motivated me to be more involved in minority communities and to show more support to my fellow black owned businesses. This was a reminder, that only through economic growth and unity in our own communities, will we be able to change the narrative and gain equality.

 

12. Theo Johnson; Senior, Lamar H.S.

Why was George Floyd’s death such a wake up call for some people?

I believe George Floyd’s death was illustrated as an invigorating wake up call to society due to the fact of how previously amplified racism was before that. What I mean by this is that not only were there so many acts of police brutality and racism committed in the past, but, George Floyd’s death sat atop two immediate deaths that were believed to be motivated by racism. These being the murders of Ahmaud Arberry and Breonna Taylor. With all that being said, the two previous killings only increased anger and frustration so the protests and riots began to mentally boil and cook. When confronted with it directly via the video that displayed Officer Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd’s neck, the pot began to overflow within society’s mind, and thus everyone unequivocally “woke up.”

 

13. Tirzah L. Johnson; Freshman, Lamar H.S.

What impact do you hope George Floyd’s death has on the perspectives/actions of non-Black Americans?

My father once said, “you can stretch a rubber band so wide for so long and eventually it will break.” According to the book of Ecclesiastes 3:3 it says, “there’s a time to kill and a time to heal ; a time to tear down and a time to build” For so long African Americans have been killed because of social injustices and racial inequality. History proves that time and time again many policemen have stereotyped African Americans which has caused many of them to be wrongfully imprisoned, falsely accused and even murdered. So many killings of African American men and women have been taken by the hands of white law enforcement officers and by white American citizens. Now is the time for justice, now is the time for healing! As black people, we’ve been torn down.  I agree with what Gandhi said, “Where there is injustice I believe in fighting.” The time has come for a generation of blacks, whites, browns and every color to come together and fight against these injustices to dismantle prejudice and racial inequality. We must build up the African American race that has worked as hard as the Caucasian race to build America and only then can we experience a world that truly is a better place.

 

14. U.S. Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee proposed renaming the original policing bill, The Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act of 2020 and proposed an amendment to name the Justice in Policing bill after George Floyd…  As Americans, we must deal with the realities of systemic racism and economic discrimination that has plagued our nation for over 400 years. It is time for us to account for the brutal mistreatment of African Americans during chattel slavery, Jim Crow segregation and the enduring structural racism endemic to our society.

H.R. 40 is intended to create the framework for a national discussion and study on the enduring impact of slavery and its complex legacy to begin that necessary process of atonement.

“The strength and foundation of democratic government rests upon the consent and confidence of the governed. Similarly, effective enforcement of the law and administration of justice requires the confidence of the community that the law will be enforced impartially and that all persons are treated equally without regard to race or ethnicity or religion or national origin,” stated Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

 

15. Mayor Sylvester Turner

How did the death of George Floyd change your perspective on the treatment of Black citizens in America? George Floyd’s death was shocking and unacceptable. I will never forget watching the image of a police officer with his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. It says to me that too many people view African American men as a threat and have no regard for our lives or what we contribute to our community and country.

Why do you think George Floyd’s death was such a wake-up call for some people?

For one, the videotape was shocking. George Floyd became a catalyst for a movement to stop police brutality, improve relations between police and the public, and invest in under-served and under-resourced communities. Floyd’s death also represents the death of so many other African American men killed in police custody across the country. People are frustrated and angry. They have had enough, and that is why you see marches, rallies, and protests across the country. I am grateful to everyone who has kept events peaceful and respectful in the city of Houston. That is what Floyd’s family members say they wanted.

George grew up in the Third Ward, was reared in Cuney Homes, and graduated from Jack Yates High School. He was one of us. Now people know his name in South Africa, Canada, Nairobi, Berlin, South Korea, and Europe. What some people meant for evil, God has turned it out for good. We honor George Floyd not because he was perfect, but we honor him because when he took his last breath, the rest of us will now be able to breathe.

 

16. Marcus A. Moody; President of MIG Construction Services

Question: What impact do you hope George Floyd’s death has on the perspectives/actions of non-Black Americans?

George Floyd’s death has made a significant impact on the world; we all witnessed a man take his last breath while in the hands of the United State’s justice system. What I hope continues is the publication of Black-American history and the adversities we were forced to endure. Our nation’s progression depends on the continued support provided by my closest friends, their desire to comprehend Black-American history, and their interest to ensure that all ethnicities know the truth about what has been suppressed for over 400 years. Understanding the history of America will help us determine how to approach the future, as it allows us to learn from our past mistakes (and triumphs) as a society.

 

17. Deric Muhammad; Activist

The voice of Black America has spoken louder, clearer and stronger than ever before. Our protests were Earth-shaking. Our cry for justice was soul-stirring. The deep pain we felt for our brother, George Floyd, stopped time as we know it.

We are against police brutality. We are against racism, in all its forms. We are against mass incarceration. We are against racial profiling. We are against economic exploitation. We are clear about what we are against, but how clear are we (really) about what we are for? That is the trillion-dollar question. If we put more energy into what we are “against” than we put into what we are “for” we will ultimately find ourselves working for what we are against and working against what we are for.

We are not simply against police brutality; we are FOR the organizing, mobilizing and the policing of our own communities, by our own people.

We are not simply against the racist culture in America’s police departments; we are FOR replacing them with our own.

We are not simply against racial discrimination in the workplace; we are FOR building and supporting Black-owned corporations that hire our own and treat us fairly.

We are not simply against “food deserts” in the Black community; we are FOR the purchasing of arable land to grow our own food, to be sold in our own supermarkets and restaurants.

We are not simply against the criminal justice system’s unjust treatment of Black people; we are FOR the creation of conflict resolution centers where we come together to solve our own problems.

We are not simply against the propaganda machine, known as mainstream media; we are FOR the strengthening of Black-owned media outlets. It’s time to take what’s ours.