It has been five years since George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police. These years have been extraordinary — not because justice has finally been served, but because the truth about how Black people are treated by law enforcement in Minnesota and across this country was exposed for all the world to see.
For families like mine, families who have lost loved ones at the hands of police, this time has been both uplifting and bittersweet. Uplifting because we’ve witnessed a level of accountability we never thought possible. Bittersweet because many of us know, deep down, that day may never come for our own loved ones.
It still hurts. It always will. But at least we now have the chance to see something that once felt impossible: a world beginning to wake up.
In these past five years, we have seen glimmers of justice. We’ve seen some level of change, but not because the legal system suddenly decided to do the right thing. Real change has come from the people. From the community. From families and neighbors and everyday citizens who decided enough is enough.
Since George Floyd’s murder, more people have become aware of the injustice we’ve long endured, and they have chosen to stand with us. People are listening in a way they didn’t before. They believe us now. They see the truth we’ve been living.
And yet, even after the whole world rose up in George Floyd’s name, the killings continued.
Winston Smith.
Daunte Wright.
Amir Locke.
Tekle Sundberg.
Howard Johnson.
Brandon Keys.
And so many others.
Each name represents a life stolen and a family shattered. We thought the violence would stop. We thought the uprising would be enough. But still — particularly for Black men — the killings go on.
After George Floyd, we had no choice but to stand up and speak out. From that pain, we built a movement. A community. A family. We show up for one another every time tragedy strikes.
And we use whatever gifts we have to demand justice and humanity. Some of us take photos. Some of us write. Some report. Some organize. But all of us stand together.
The most powerful thing that has happened in these last five years is that God has allowed us to fight together — in solidarity, not in silence. We are no longer grieving alone. We are no longer suffering in the shadows.
We are still here.
Still standing.
Still fighting.
And we will not stop until justice belongs to all of us.
Toshira Garraway is the founder of Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence. For more information, visit www.fsfav.org.