Thursday (May 25) marked the three-year anniversary of George Floyd's death, a Black man who was killed by white police officer Derek Chauvin after he was suspected of using a counterfeit 20-dollar bill. His unjust murder led to a wave of protests, calls for reform, and a widespread resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, whose story spans centuries back and continues to be a crucial fight for social equality and justice to this day. Recently, Floyd's sister LaTonya reflected on Chauvin's actions during a documentary screening on a statue dedicated to Floyd. Her remarks caused conversation among communities, but were nonetheless powerful.
"America might think I'm crazy for saying this, but I have to get this off my chest," LaTonya Floyd told FOX 26. "At this point, three years down the line, I do forgive Derek Chauvin for what he did. It's not okay that he did it, okay? But I have to forgive him in order to move forth with my life. I've been running around in circles, he'll tell you, I have been going through a whole lot. If that higher power don't forgive us, we're nothing, we're lost, we're out of there.
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George Floyd's Sister Forgives Derek Chauvin
"I can't keep living my life with this anger that's going to form to hate, such as he had," she continued. "It's going to lead to me doing something like that because I'm mad, I'm angry. I can't live with that in me. So I pray for him and I pray that he finds peace within himself. I pray that next time he kneel down, he's kneeling down to help someone up and not hold them down. God has a plan for everybody. I pray for Derek and I do forgive you. If you are listening, may the peace of God be with you man."
Many believe that such acts should never be forgiven, as social media discussion of her message indicates. Chauvin is currently serving his 22-and-a-half-year sentence for the incident. However, the most important voice in each victim's stories is that of their families. After so much pain and suffering, but also progress and awareness following their loved one's passing, the Floyd family is healing in their own ways. Rest In Peace George Floyd, and deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and all those who fought and keep fighting for justice.
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