Minneapolis is on Fire

I have numerous connections to Minneapolis and have for nearly all my life. Family members live in the area as do many friends. I attended a year of college and numerous concerts there. I'm familiar with museums and the cultural opportunities that abound in the Twin Cities. I have been horrified and shocked by the recent events there, first the murder of George Floyd by a self-righteous cop who knelt on his neck for eight minutes. And second, the subsequent riots that have taken place resulting in looting and the destruction of property. Fires, including the burning of a police precinct. This is not the Minnesota nice I am accustomed to. I'm guessing it took a black man being held to the ground under a white cop's knee while three other cops looked on to push things over the edge. On the positive side, there have been peaceful protests by regular citizens who are wearing masks and observing social distancing. The former police officer in question, Derek Chauvin, has been taken into custody and charged with third degree murder and manslaughter. No word yet on the other three cops, who were also fired from the Minneapolis Police Department over the incident. Today two of my cousins who live in the inner suburbs headed to Costco for supplies, bottled water and garbage bags among other things, before going into the city to help clean up. There have been mostly peaceful demonstrations across the country in support of black lives in solidarity with what happened in Minneapolis, even in my own state's capital, Denver. For anyone who doesn't think racism exists in this country this is your wake-up call. For those of you who counter black lives matter with all lives matter, you are right, but only partly. Drop your guise of privilege. Hell, recognizing that you are privileged would be a good first step. What happened to George Floyd would never have happened to a white man. Until the people of color in this country are treated fairly in every way we have so much work to do to fix those injustices.