NYMysteries  Dec. 26,  2020

 A tribute to George Lloyd.

“I can’t breathe.” were the only words I heard George Lloyd say before he died, murdered by members of the Minneapolis police. On May 25, 2020, Mr. Lloyd brought home to me how difficult and dangerous it is to be black in  the USA. His suffering forced me to examine my own prejudice. A black family lives in my apartment building. The father always gets into the elevator first, smiling and wishing all a Good Morning. He shields his big black son from the white passengers’ hostile, frightened expressions. Minute by minute, day by day Blacks have to watch their step wherever they are: in their own homes  (Breonna Taylor), driving a car, existing. “Being black in America should not be a death sentence,” Minneapolis Mayor Frey said. But it is. Thank you, George Lloyd, for waking me up.