The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the United States, has sparked outrage around the world. People, whether racialized or not, the greatest number showed unfailing support in the fight against racism.
The horror, torment and humiliation suffered by George Floyd, suffocated under pressure from policeman Derek Chauvin, crossed the American borders. Influencers, celebrities or not … The whole world saw this black man die before the eyes of frightened passersby. If this is one more police blunder in the United States, it is, once again, one too many. The indignation is total and several American cities see their citizens taking to the streets to demand justice so that these atrocities finally stop. In France, in the aftermath of Camélia Jordana's denunciations of police and racist violence in the suburbs, the fate suffered by George Floyd only brings the subject back to the heart of the debate. This Tuesday, June 2, a demonstration will take place in Paris to protest against police violence in France. The murder of George Floyd, who died at 46, is yet another symbol in the fight against racism.
Social networks are revealing more and more anti-racist messages. They even lift the veil on the place of white people in this fight. Questioning, mea culpa and solidarity flourish Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. The indignation is such that it has become heterogeneous.
What is it, to be privileged?
The term of “Privileged people” has become more and more common since the horror that was broadcast on social media after the murder of George Floyd. Some believe that it is, and provide unfailing support to victims of racism and violence. For many, to be privileged is not to be discriminated against by a racialized individual. We are talking about social privileges. Fiona Schmidt, journalist and author of Let go of the womb, spoke of the privileges which she herself enjoys as a white woman, thus acknowledging the discrimination suffered by others: "The fact of not being responsible for his privileges does not prevent him from being aware of them, and from working for them to become the rights of all." she explains on Instagram. Like her, many have become aware and have recently recognized the discrimination that their racialized relatives could suffer.
By admitting the existence of these privileges, these people provide much needed support to victims of racism. Not to remain silent, to become an anti-racist ally and to protest against discrimination, whatever our skin color, is gradually becoming a primordial militant act.
Anti-racism: campaigning for human rights
Because, in fact, to be anti-racist is to fight for human rights. Like women’s rights, it’s about human well-being and security. The presence of the greatest number within the combat is, today, more than ever a necessity. In the United States, part of the police also wanted to pay tribute to George Floyd, denouncing the fatal gesture of Derek Chauvin. In several American cities, police marched alongside protesters or kneeled on the ground in memory of George Floyd. The sheriff of the city of Flint, in the state of Michigan, for example, addressed the demonstrators in a video posted on social networks: "The only reason we're here is to make sure you can make your voice heard, that's all. We're here to help the people, we want to be with you, really. I took my helmet, put down my baton, I want to make this a parade! These police officers love you. "
In Orlando, Florida, the local police chief and the county sheriff knelt on the ground in front of the protesters who were across the security fence. In Oklahoma City or Santa Cruz, the police made the same gesture: knees on the ground and declarations of support for the demonstrators were seen and heard.