Commentary: A day at George Floyd Square

Last week, I picked up a couple visiting from Atlanta, who wanted to visit 38th and Chicago Ave. South, now internationally recognized as George Floyd Square. The car and foot traffic was light as we came across the first bronze fist erected on the site. We were able to park directly across from the former Cup Foods, recently rebranded as Unity Foods.

I began to take photos of the visiting couple in front of the famous George Floyd mural when a brother approached us and introduced himself as Marquise, a real Southsider and co-founder of the MN Agape Movement. When asked about the area he said soberly, “It has become really touristy. 

“It doesn’t seem to be benefiting or uplifting the community,” he continued. “I’m here all the time. I see people who were born and raised in Minneapolis who were afraid to come to 38th and Chicago before the George Floyd murder. [Now they] run here with friends from out of town to see what it looks like. It doesn’t seem like they care what happens to people in the community.”

As we continued to walk the four corners of the Square, music began to blast from the still-burned-out Speedway gas station across the street, now known as the “People’s Way.”

It was a deejay spinning records with a bright sound system playing to a small gathering of six people. He said his name was DJ EMOG, and it was his idea to provide “therapeutic Thursdays” and play music at George Floyd Square. 

“I represent real hip hop, and hip hop takes care of its people. It’s not about talking. It’s about doing. I’m DJing to keep the spirit of peace and love,” said DJ EMOG.

As we listened to the music, I gazed at the area that is now George Floyd Square and began to wonder: How did all those millions of dollars collected by way of donations and settlements pass through this community and fail to make it a better place for the people who live there?