Barack Obama on George Floyd
Barack Obama issued strong statements condemning the police killing of George Floyd in May 2020, expressing anguish over the event and the systemic issues it revealed. Obama stated clearly that the violence against George Floyd should not be considered 'normal' in America and urged for the creation of a 'new normal' free from bigotry.
Barack Obama viewed the protests that followed George Floyd's death as an opportunity for people, especially young activists, to be awakened to underlying structural problems and drive real change. He called on officials, including mayors and police leadership, to review and commit to reforms regarding the use of force. His stance consistently linked the isolated act of violence to the long history of systemic racism in the U.S. institutions, including healthcare and the criminal justice system.
Context
Barack Obama's reaction to George Floyd's death is significant due to his status as the first African American President and his prior administration's focus on racial justice issues and police reform. His presidency saw the creation of the Task Force on 21st Century Policing following the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Obama's comments post-2020 connect the George Floyd incident directly to these ongoing issues of systemic racism and police accountability.
His comments were framed within the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the pandemic disproportionately affected communities of color, thus compounding the impact of systemic injustices highlighted by George Floyd's death.
Timeline
- Barack Obama issued an initial statement immediately following the death of George Floyd, sharing his anguish and that of friends who felt that Black Americans are 'exhausted, tired, and ashamed' of the lack of progress.
- The former President spoke in a virtual town hall regarding the ongoing protests, stating that while painful, the moment presented an 'incredible opportunity' to awaken to structural problems.
Actions Taken
- Advocacy for Police ReformCalled on mayors, county executives, and other officials to review their use of force policies with their communities and commit to reforms.
Key Quotes
It's natural to wish for life 'to just get back to normal' as a pandemic and economic crisis upend everything around us. But we have to remember that for millions of Americans, being treated differently on account of race is tragically, painfully, maddeningly 'normal,'
This shouldn't be 'normal' in 2020 America. It can't be 'normal.' If we want our children to grow up in a nation that lives up to its highest ideals, we can and must be better.
It will fall mainly on the officials of Minnesota to ensure that the circumstances surrounding George Floyd's death are investigated thoroughly and that justice is ultimately done. But it falls on all of us... to work together to create a 'new normal' in which the legacy of bigotry and unequal treatment no longer infects our institutions or our hearts.
Sources5
Obama addresses police killing of George Floyd and nationwide protests
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.