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What a month!
At the end of May, George Floyd was brutally murdered by the police. The reason: an allegedly forged 20 dollar bill – spent knowingly or unknowingly. The videotape of the murder went around the world. It was soon clear, that this murder was only one of so many racially motivated murders and police brutality. If Mr. Floyd’s skin was white instead of black, he would likely still be alive. The protests as a reaction on this crime and injustice in prosecution of the perpetrators, also went around the world. Anger, vandalism and violence made the TV news. I was receiving many worried texts and calls, asking if we are alright and if we are safe from protests. I want to say a few things
regarding these messages: Most of the protests were peaceful. There were no riots here in New Haven. In many cities though, peaceful protestors were victims of police brutality regardless.
Protests and vandalismI also want to say something about the instances when the protests did lead to destruction and violence. This is a very complex topic and of course I can’t generally agree with vandalism, but I also have a hard time judging the people who committed these acts. I am a white woman, who had no real contact with the police yet. However, I always felt like if I was in danger I could rely on the police to come and help me. Many black people have a very different experience, and this is reflected in the statistics, which show that black people are victims of police brutality much more often than white people. Simultaneously, black people receive less help from police if they are victims of crime by other civilians or police officers themselves. Black children grow up in the USA knowing this and are taught how to avoid the police. Cases like George Floyd make clear why. These persons live in a system that has let them down continuously. On the other hand they are still expected to play by the rules and abide to the law, without getting the same back. Life in a one-way street.
Imagine
I tried to imagine what it would be like to live in such an unjust world and came to the following conclusion: If this situation was my reality and my friends and family were being killed without any reason or for little violations and the authorities who were supposed to protect me did not care, and nothing would ever change for years, then I would probably stop playing by the rules as well. To show that I am not living in this system. Not because I wouldn’t want to, but because the system doesn’t give me any space.
Protesting during a pandemicAnother topic of course is how smart protests are during a pandemic. This is also a question that would need a long and complex answer. To say it shortly, every mass gathering is extremely problematic during the pandemic. However, is not going on the streets to stand up for equality, any better? Personally, I did not actively participate in the protests, as it was too risky for me, but some of my friends did and I am glad that there were so many courageous people that raised their voices. That the infection rates rose after the protests was of course an unfortunate consequence, however the USA continues to prove daily, that those numbers also rise without any protests if no appropriate measures to avoid spread are taken.
New York City
I also started going to the Lab again for smaller experiments. Of course I am wearing a mask and taking other measures to stay safe. It feels good to actively work again. Outside it also feels like summer already and this weather invites me to spend a lot of time in nature. This is something that I won’t be able to do for much longer, because at the end of July I will take you with me when I move to New York City!
Saskia's reports
Saskia's report no. 1: What I actually do here in the USA
Saskia's report no. 2: Saskia's work at Yale School of Medicine
Saskia's report no. 3: Tour of the laboratory
Saskia's report no. 4: Home visit over Christmas
Saskia's report no. 5: Plans for the future
Saskia's report no. 6: Current situation in the USA
Saskia's report no. 7: New every-day-life in isolation
Saskia's report no. 8: Yale Campustour
Saskia's report no. 9: Where to begin? What a month!
Saskia's report no. 10: Moving day to New York City
Saskia's report no. 11: The first weeks in New York City
Saskia's report no. 12: Farewell
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