Today, May 25, is the 2nd anniversary of George Floyd’s violent death. His passing marked a wave of social unrest that took the U.S. by storm in 2020. While there is undeniably much work left to still be done, we wanted to take a moment to focus on the life he lived–one we lost too soon. He was, and is, so loved for his humor, his service to his community, and as a father and family member. We selected some joyous moments to revisit on this tragic day. 

Today, we honor George Floyd’s life. 

While we are all starkly aware of the brutal way he passed, we want to focus on his life, his happy and proud moments. 

A loving son:
Floyd was incredibly close with his mother, who passed in 2018—they died 2 years and 1 week apart. He had his mother’s name tattooed on his stomach.

Life in the Bricks:
Floyd spent most of his childhood in a Houston neighborhood called the Bricks. While there, he was known as “Perry,” his middle name. Other nicknames included “Big Floyd,” for his height, big personality, and sense of humor. Fellow high school football teammate Herbert Mouton reminisced, “He was a jokester, always laughing and cracking jokes.” After a big game loss, Floyd would let the team sulk for only a few minutes before telling a joke to brighten spirits. “He never wanted us to feel bad for too long.”

On his last day of 11th grade: 
Fellow classmate Jonathan Veal recalls the aspirations of promising star athlete George Floyd, who he met in the school cafeteria on the first day of 6th grade: “George turned to me and said, ‘I want to touch the world.’” To the 17-year-olds, touching the world meant the N.B.A. or N.F.L.

Athletic dreams:
Floyd grew up in one of Houston’s poorest neighborhoods, but found solace in his basketball and football dreams: he had 3 catches in a state championship game during his junior year. He was the first of his siblings to go to college (and on an athletic scholarship!).
As Big Floyd the rapper:
Floyd enjoyed a rap career as well, appearing as Big Floyd on mixtapes created by DJ Screw, who was a fixture in Houston’s hip-hop scene in the 90s. With his deep voice, he rhymed about “choppin’ blades” and his Third Ward pride. 

A religious man:
Floyd renewed his commitment to the church, after serving 4 years in prison and inspired by the birth of his daughter, Gianna. At Resurrection Houston, a church that holds many of its services on the basketball court in the middle of public housing complex Cuney Homes, he would set up chairs and drag out the baptism tub to the center of the court. He became involved in a Christian program known for taking men to Minnesota from the Third Ward and providing them with drug rehabilitation and job placement services.

A protector of the people:
In 2017, Floyd began working as a security guard at the Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center, a downtown homeless shelter and transitional housing facility. Staff members recall fondly that Floyd’s instinct to protect them was so strong, he would walk them to their cars.

George Floyd is more than “I can’t breathe.” He is more than his brutal death. Let us honor his life and his achievements on this day. 

Source: nytimes.com