A Memorial for George Floyd

A Stolen Life

"Eight minutes and 46 seconds is a short time, but for a man whose life ended, it was an eternity. A life was stolen, and that life can never be brought back. Why is this life more important than any other? It isn't in the scheme of things, but at the same time, it is the most important life, and that life has been taken from us. He was a father, a husband, a son, an Uncle, a nephew, a cousin, a friend. He was our neighbor, our co-worker, and an inspiration to every life he touched. Though he wasn't a member of our community, we grieve for his family today."

Bruce Wayne sat listening to the minister in a church that once held the memorial service of his parents. 'Nine minutes,' he thought. 'It was nine long minutes that I faced in that alley, nine long minutes that a gunman held my parents at gunpoint, my father trying to protect my mother, as the man grabbed my mother's pearls. I know the events are not the same, but the pain is the same, the anger, the frustration, the anguish of loss. Their lives were stolen just as his life was stolen.'

"From what I learned, George Floyd loved everyone, bringing many people together and into his life," the preacher stated. "He stood up for injustice. He provided for those in need, without question. What happened to George Floyd was an injustice, an injustice that should not have happened."

Bruce listened to the words and he felt several tears run down his cheek. It was an injustice, an injustice that did not even compare to his; where his parents had been murdered by a man in an alley. His six-year-old daughter is now without her father, but unlike him, she had family around her.

'She has a support system that I did not have, and yet, I am certain she was asking 'why was her daddy stolen for her?' She should not be asking that question. She should have her Daddy with her, seeing her grow, helping her with her homework, seeing her grow up. He will never see that.'

"George Floyd had been murdered by a police officer, a police officer who had sworn an oath to protect the innocent. That officer knew what he was doing. That officer knew. That officer didn't want to give that man a chance, didn't want to listen to his pleas. And because of it, a good man died. We hope that justice will be served. We hope those officers will be prosecuted for their crimes, but I also hope those officers will learn, and have time to reflect on what they did wrong. I don't want to be bitter. I don't want to fall into the trap of hatred. Love should be our flag, forgiveness our bible, and acceptance our way of life. Now, we will have 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silence."

Bruce stood with the rest of the crowd, of men, women, blacks, whites, Asians, and middle eastern people. The silence was deafening. Bruce felt a small hand take his. He looked down to see a little black girl staring up at him. The minutes ticked by. Bruce felt the weight of those minutes and more tears fell. After the minutes were gone, and everyone was once again allowed to take their seats, the little girl reached up and wiped Bruce's face.

"Why are you crying?"

"Because a good man died," Bruce said. "He couldn't breathe."

"Thank you," the little girl said, going back to her mother and father.

Bruce made eye contact with the family, and his eyes went wide. Lucius Fox was standing there with his son and daughter. Was the child a member of his family? Bruce vowed at that moment to look at what he was doing to be part of the solution, and not part of the problem.

"Go from this place, and remember, we are all brothers and sisters in this fight. Do not let George Floyd's death be in vain."

End

A/N: I watched the memorial service for George Floyd. When it came time for the silence for the eight minutes and 46 seconds, CNN started a commentary. I silenced their voices via my remote and listened through Facebook. I understand their need to tell what is going on, but at the same time, they did not respect the need for silence. I have written this out of respect. I have a black friend. I call her my Big Brother. She is a Jason Todd fan. We have role played together for eight-nine years . . . Think about that. I see her as my friend, and my thoughts are with her.