KATIE LENDA
Staff Writer
Shock, advocacy, racism, justice and love — these were the key words spoken by Angela Harrelson, Selwyn Jones and Nyle Fort at the Multicultural Support Services’ event, “A Conversation With The Family of George Floyd.”
An hour-long conversation is not enough to honor the life of Floyd, or to discuss ongoing racial injustice in the U.S.
However, it was through Harrelson and Jones’ strength, and Fort’s knowledge and wisdom that the conversation via Zoom on Sept. 24, resonated with attendees.
The conversation began with an opening from David White, the Multicultural Support Services Director.
White said he “knew immediately this was a conversation to be held on campus.”
He was excited to have the opportunity for Fredonia’s campus to engage in such a meaningful conversation.
“My hope is that attendees will get honest and real perspectives on the impact and importance of George Floyd’s untimely demise. I hope an increase in familiarity with the wrongs of social injustice and racism is achieved,” White said.
Nyle Fort, a mentor, activist and scholar, mediated the conversation.
Fort opened the conversation by comparing this topic to that of a “food buffet.”
He said, “We’re gonna put some food on the table for thought. Some of that food you may be familiar with. Some of that food may look unfamiliar to you and it may be a little scary. And that’s alright.”
The conversation then shifted to Harrelson and Jones recalling memories of their nephew, who was known to the family as Perry.
Harrelson recalled Floyd as funny and loving; he especially adored his mother.
Jones and Harrelson both described how Floyd grew up in poverty, but also how these struggles made him into the loving person he was.
Jones said, “He always wanted to laugh and smile. We couldn’t have any food sometimes, but we had love.”
Fort asked Harrelson and Jones about their initial reactions when they found out the painful news about their nephew.
Harrelson said that she found out about Floyd’s tragic murder through the media.
She described a phone call she received from a reporter, asking her about Floyd.
Harrelson was in shock and did not believe the reporter in saying that her nephew had been murdered by police.
She then proceeded to check her cell phone. Harrelson had dozens of missed calls from family members regarding the situation.
She then turned on the television, dropped to her knees and sobbed when she saw Dereck Chauvin’s knee on her nephew’s neck.
Not to anyone’s surprise, Jones was also in disbelief when he heard about his nephew.
“I have not been the same since May 26. You close your eyes and listen to that audio, and you can hear a man. Fight, suffer, hatred, racism, control, power, sadness. That’s what you hear when you look at that video and see my nephew,” he said.
Harrelson and Jones use their grief as a means to create social change through advocacy for racial injustice.
Harrelson described how it was very difficult for her to start advocating after her nephew’s death.
However, she said that, “someone needs to be a voice for Perry,” despite how emotional it may be.
Jones said, “I can’t stop fighting. This has consumed my whole life. Your generation can teach your children how to treat people with empathy. Young folks like yourselves are the ones who are going to make the change.”
Fort closed out the conversation by discussing what we can do to be actively anti-racist.
Fort said, “We need to have an understanding of what racism is. We need to have conversations, but we can’t stop once the conversation ends. The conversation is supposed to call us to action and convict us to do more than what we’ve done.”
There will be an encore viewing for the event on Oct. 14 via Zoom at 8:30 p.m.
Take part in this important conversation, and help create lasting change in our country.
Resources:
https://www.justiceforbigfloyd.com