Emotions are running high as protests and demonstrations — many of which have escalated to violence — have raged on for several days following the very public murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.
The images of the officer putting his knee on Floyd’s neck as Floyd cried for help, saying “I can’t breathe” was a powerful and tragic one that has awoken strong emotions across every demographic. The footage of the police in riot gear with batons, tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray has only ramped up the outrage.
The outcries from protesters have been about police brutality in particular toward the African American community. Those outcries aren’t limited to those taking to the streets. Likewise there are many outside the black community who empathize and share those feelings of sadness and outrage over these senseless acts of brutality.
Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones recently tweeted out a touching story of an encounter he had at the grocery store with an elderly woman.
The tweets drew the attention of Good Morning America and Monday morning, Jones appeared on the program to talk about his encounter.
Many NFL players, coaches, and executives have shared their experiences and expressed their concerns during this trying time. Raiders owner Mark Davis put out a statement. Raiders running back Jalen Richard also chimed in.
There are still open wounds between the African American community, particularly with regard to law enforcement. It makes encounters like those between Jones and that woman all the more heartwarming as we look to find healing.
