Editor: George Floyd died in vain. On the grim night of May 30, in La Mesa, that statement was challenged. At the intersection of Spring and Allison, one could find themselves entranced by the blood, sweat, and tear gas being put forth by their fellow citizens. Posters with the phrase “I Can’t Breathe” paced back and forth, as you can hear the shards of broken glass crack beneath your feet. A woman in the middle streets sang to the crowd with words of protest without caring for her vocal cords that were seemingly about to burst with cries. The pain was evident. There was a deep sense of discomfort yet liberation.
At around 9:45 p.m, I made my way through a crowd of protesters to see a border of cops, in
front of a burning vehicle. As the fire was breathing down the neck of every officer, they were
blanketed with darkness, leaving only a silhouette of floating riot gear. I could not help but take
deep breaths and fill my lungs with air from an atmosphere that was polluted with tension.
Hiding behind the presence of other officers, I caught a glimpse of a single officer who was
loading to launch tear gas into the chanting crowds. While a wall of smoke was let loose,
hysteria grew among protesters. Some continued their chants, while others wondered with water and first aid kits to help those who were wounded from the gas. As the cloud of dominance began to dissipate, flames erupted out of the windows of the Chase bank that was behind us. Now we too felt fire breathing down our necks.
The death of George Floyd did not appear to be like any other. Following the devastating news
of Floyd, social media platforms were flooded with videos of other African Americans who found
themselves forced onto the concrete while being met with fist and buttons. It gradually became harder to rationalize the behavior of the boys in blue while some of their hands were tainted with red. However, I believe these undeserving events of police brutality would not be evaded with the abolishment of the police departments. This misuse of authority speaks upon how easily power can corrupt the morals of any individual who possesses it. It is not until law enforcement accomplishes the true power of de-escalation where there might be a shift towards a harmonious relationship with the public. Until then, there is an expectation that the nation will be forced to watch, yet again, the death of an unarmed person dying at the hand of an adrenaline-filled officer. Estevan Sudad Bahro
San Diego