Hello, everyone. This is the voice of a young man from the far east. A small state called Nagaland in India. I am deeply pained and saddened with the happenings in the United States of America. I am raising my voice because I am also a victim of racial discrimination. I am raising my voice because my people have been subjected to racial discrimination in our own country. I am raising my voice because it is the right thing to do. You do not know what it feels like to be discriminated just because you look different from the rest unless you experience it and I do not want others to face the same. I extend my solidarity and heartfelt condolences to the family of George Floyd and all those who are fighting valiantly for ‘Justice’.
The brutal killing of George Floyd in broad daylight by the Minneapolis police has sent shockwaves across the world. My heart skipped a beat for a moment when I heard him say ‘Mama, Mama’, ‘I can’t breathe’. ‘I CAN’T BREATHE’ were his last words. It is extremely disturbing when the custodians of the law become the oppressor. We do not know how many have fallen victim to such state sponsored acts. And only God knows how many such cases go unnoticed. Even in India, the poor, the minorities, those who dissent are oppressed, harassed, maimed and even killed with the government remaining just a mute spectator. It reminds me of the ‘Words of Wisdom’ by 2 Pac, ‘We are being wiped off the face of this earth at an alarming rate and even more alarming is the fact that we are not fighting back’.
It is time we say ‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’. Because we have had enough of it. It is heartening to see people from all quarters join hands to fight against this oppressive system. We cannot remain silent anymore.
Black or white. Brown or yellow. It doesn’t matter. Different skin tone only makes us unique not different. After all, we are all humans.
Let me conclude with the quote ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’. I hope justice is delivered at the earliest to George Floyd and his family.
I urge everyone to come forward raise your voice. Today it is George Floyd. Tomorrow it could be you and me.
JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD. BLACK LIVES MATTER. ALL LIVES MATTER.
X Chophika Sumi
Bank Colony
Dimapur