In the midst of a global pandemic it’s easy to become despondent by the cynical actions of our society. We resign ourselves to the misery perpetrated by the few to provoke the many and find little solace to assauge the crippling desolation. It’s a feeling so bereft of encouragement, one that is only exacerbated by the inequities of media coverage, that is so sensationalised for the purposes of entertainment rather than to inform a concerned public. The escalating tensions that beset the US only reinforces the absence of humanity in humanity. You find yourself questioning the century your currently living in, and wonder how things have regressed to such an abhorrent state. Its certainly apparant that this brand of systemic racism has always been there, disguised by the false smiles and feigned courtesies of the privileged who so graciously tolerate those without pale skin tones. Tempered of course by the discreet murmurings of intolerance, that has subsequently enabled individuals to be openly prejudice among friends and relatives. And additionally thanks to the bigoted dispersions of certain government officials. With more people than ever feeling emboldened to preach a similar philosophy who might have otherwised remained silent for fear of being judged “racist”.

I’m usually as politically neutral as they come, taking permanent residence on the diplomatic fence. I have opinions, sure, but feel neither inclined nor compelled to share them. But it’s impossible to remain impartial when such discrimination is still so dangerously pervasive. The demonstrations that have ensued across the US, that have now been replicated in other sympathetic cities are a rational retaliation to an issue that should no longer exist. Such irrational behaviour to someone’s differences should be regarded as historical anomalies, looked upon with disdain and an example to any civilised society of how NOT to behave. The brutal abuse suffered by George Floyd is something you might expect to see in blurry black and white footage from a 1950’s civil rights movement, not from one of the worlds most developed nations because of a counterfeit $20 Bill?!

A police officer thrusting his knee into a victims neck for any length of time is not enforcing the law; but abusing his power! The fact that he was black should be insignificant, but it isn’t. In this day and age we should be outraged that those with a duty to serve and protect civilians had viciously restrained and subsequently killed a person. But the salient point isn’t that someone was murdered, but that this incident never would have escalated to that point it did if the suspect were white. Never.

RIP George Floyd.