One never imagines witnessing the killing of a loved one on national television.
The world knows my brother as George Floyd.
Strangers carried his picture as abeacon for changeand shouted his last words in protest.
Illustration by Diana Ejaita
I know deep down who my brother really was.
To me, he was just Floyd.
I couldn’t do anything but shake my head, but it showed his commitment to his family.
Illustration by Diana Ejaita
Now Im focused on making sure the world never forgets him.
While this journey has been a painful one, Im turning my pain into purpose.
I’ve learned that my voice counts and I will use it forpositive change.
I found my voice and my purpose during one of the scariest moments of my life.
This talk with my sons unfortunately comes with my brother’s real-life example.
It’s also part of the reason I feel an extra sense of responsibility to rally for change.
I know the work Im doing on his behalf will continue to empower many generations to come.
And I am eternally grateful to the freedom fighters ofBlack Lives Matter.
It is because of them and their outrage that I believe my brother is getting justice.
Last year, there were days when I didn’t want to get out of bed.
I was angry, disheartened, and scared.
I chose the latter.
I quit my job as a full-time federal employee to be a full-time mom to my four boys.
It was a time when I felt that Floyd was smiling down on me from Heaven.
I began planting seeds of hope, because if not me then who?
I simply had to do my part.
I know that God qualifies the called.
My heart and the trajectory of my life have forever been changed.
With that, I will continue to fight for change.
It’s what my brother would have wanted.
