Man’s Thoughts of Black Stepson Prompted George Floyd Demonstration in Madison Heights Oakland County Times – Oakland County 115 News

Mans Thoughts of Black Stepson Prompted George Floyd Demonstration in Madison Heights

Mans Thoughts of Black Stepson Prompted George Floyd Demonstration in Madison Heights

(Crystal A. Proxmire, May 30, 2020)

Madison Heights, MI Among the 250 or so people standing in front of the Madison Heights Library Saturday afternoon to honor George Floyd and take a stance against racism and unchecked police brutality, was Kevin and Keleila Wright.

The Wrights have been married five years, and each has children from their previous marriage, with six children and one grandchild.

Kevin is the one who started the idea of a demonstration, posting on Facebook that hed be standing there with a sign saying George Floyd did not deserve to die, and anyone was welcome to join in.

My wife is African-American and I have a 15-year-old stepson who is black. I have two sons of my own from a previous marriage who are white. They are equals in our house. Three brothers who do all the things brothers do.

I dont know if my stepson has ever felt the sting of racism yet, but I know he will. I know my sons never have and never will. In a few years, one of them will no longer be treated as an equal in society because of the color of his skin. I couldnt for the life of me figure out why. I just could not stay silent one more time and look myself in the mirror.

I expected to be out there by myself on Saturday, Wright said. But this thing exploded. A friend suggested I create a public event page on Facebook, so I did. I was overwhelmed by the response. My original post was shared over 100 times.

George Floyd died on Monday, May 25 after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck while he pleaded for life and said he couldnt breathe. Other officers failed to intervene. The death of Floyd is one of many deaths of a black man at the hands of police that has raised the issue of racism across the county.

The death hit home for Wright.

I could not stay silent any longer. Seeing the image of the police officer kneeling on George Floyds neck haunted me. I asked my wife a couple days ago, What can I do about it?

The demonstration was the answer, bringing together Madison Heights neighbors with handmade signs with phrases like Black Lives Matter, I cant breathe, Being black is not a crime, and Justice 4 George.

Id also like to say my purpose in organizing this protest was not to be anti-police, and that it was in no way aimed at the Madison Heights Police Department. I have the utmost respect for the job these brave men and women do every day to protect and serve our community.

A significantly larger protest took place in Detroit Friday afternoon and into the night. There Detroiters and suburbanites gathered Downtown until being disbursed by police with riot shields and pepper gas. There was property damage, as well as one teenager dead of a gunshot. The protest was mild compared to riots that destroyed parts of Minneapolis, Atlanta, New York and other cities around the county and the globe.

Among the 40 US Cities with protests are Albuquerque, Omaha, Fort Wayne, Dallas, and Columbus.

I was thankful there was such a great turnout of people to honor George Floyds family and say, as a community, we did not condone the actions of the police officers that led to his death. I am thankful the protest was peaceful, Wright said.

Madison Heights Councilperson Kymmburleigh Clark commended the Wrights for doing the right thing. She stood with the demonstrators who lined 13 Mile and John R. When asked why she was there, she said For me as a member of an ALL WHITE city government, it is important for me to show our black neighbors that they have allies in our city, and that our city is a safe place for them to live and work and prosper.

My family and I showed up today to support them, and to show white supremacy we are not afraid to do so. It is important that our neighbors of color see they have support in the government, in the police department, from our schools, clubs, and organizations.

When we rally around those who are vulnerable, we help make them stronger, and help to bring a louder voice to their cries for help. The people who showed up today demand more from our leadership. We must show them we are listening, and now, more than ever, it is crucial to implement this kind of change. We are rebuilding once again due to a pandemic, it seems like an opportune time to right some wrongs in the way we operate our government and rebuild our infrastructure.

Barbara Ingalls was also at the demonstration. I went to Madison Heights today because I wished to show solidarity and support for the family of George Floyd, and because my heart hurts at the continuing oppression of African Americans in the United States. In the words of Florence Reece, which side are you on?

Go here to see the original:

Man's Thoughts of Black Stepson Prompted George Floyd Demonstration in Madison Heights Oakland County Times - Oakland County 115 News