We Were Wrong About George Floyd & Here’s Why

Well there you have it, folks: Unequivocally the clearest representation thus far of the episode that practically burned America to the ground.

Some personal observations, in relatively chronological order:

• Floyd is immediately reluctant to comply; this is discouraged by his friends. The cops are firm, but (for at least the former half) at no point overstep and handle the situation as I would imagine is usually expected of them toward an uncooperative suspect.
• The cuffing process is far from swift, as Floyd claims to not be resisting whilst squirming throughout. A man mentally lacking awareness of his actions — or, perhaps worse yet, physically incapable of stopping them — should not be behind the wheel (especially without his driver’s license, which Floyd admits in another body cam video to having left at home).
• Inquiring about Floyd’s erraticism, the cop is assured by the female friend that she does not know why he would act up, and then is subsequently told it is likely attributed to Floyd having “problems all the time” simply exacerbated by his having been at gunpoint before. This not being atypical behavior certainly furthers the notion that he should not be driving.
• Both she and Floyd claim he is not “on something” and contradict (knowingly or otherwise) the toxicology reports that found traces of cannabinoids, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. The direct link to the PDF of the initial autopsy has been removed from Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office’s official site — likely to make room for the private one conducted by an “independent examiner” commissioned by the Floyd family that does not list these factors as having contributed to the ultimate homicide.
• These same reports found Floyd was in fact tested positive for coronavirus; his being in a truck with the windows down further demonstrates his irresponsibility. An additional layer of irony stems from his cries of claustrophobia upon being coaxed into another vehicle by the cops, who assured him that they would roll down the windows.
• Perhaps the most astonishing moment entails Floyd’s oft-cited “I can’t breathe” which he does not utter for the first time while he is on the ground — where he explicitly states he would prefer to go at the time — but rather inside the police cruiser during what appears to be the climax of what was likely a(n) heart/anxiety attack. While this by no means justifies the excessive pressure applied to his neck upon subdual, it is more understandable why the cop would be more reluctant to withdraw as it is at this point crystal clear his use of force was far from the only thing causing Floyd’s foaming at the mouth and difficulty breathing.

I’m always skeptical toward altercations like these that are devoid of sufficient context that I can view with my own eyes, hence my proclivity to remain quiet. But with this newfound information — apparently always accessible, but nonetheless withheld for far too long — it is clear to me that this particular incident is no longer a testament to systemic racism in the United States. Rather, it represents an egregious lack of conscientiousness and transparency on the side of mainstream American media for pushing an immature narrative that resulted in insurmountable property damage and political turmoil.

I used to think most people tend to overreact to what they perceive as “deception” by reporters who are generally well-intentioned, but this was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

While everyone will of course interpret the footage differently, now that we can see the full story in plain sight (to which we have always been entitled, but ultimately leaked by a British outlet) I am more willing than ever to have an honest conversation about what this all means as we prepare ourselves for what will amount from what I believe will be Chauvin’s almost inevitable acquittal.

Update: A much clearer version of the body cam footage was officially released on the tenth of August.