I’ve been debating for a while on whether I should post about my thoughts on George Floyd and the riots. At first I decided i wasn’t going to post anything but it all changed yesterday.
On Wednesday our hosts daughter and some of her friends showed us around the city of Minneapolis. We went to the mall of America, saw some waterfalls, walked around trying to find an entrance to the underground tunnels and many more. What stuck out the most to me though was when we went to lake street, and went to George Floyd’s memorial. Lake street is where the majority of the rioting went on. There were multiple piles of rubble where buildings use to stand. Our tour guide is a photographer and was out on the streets during the riots and was documenting them. He told us all about those nights. How at one point there was a zone where the police weren’t even allowed inside. It was a very humbling experience. It’s very different to see it in person and hear from someone who was there than it is to hear it from the news.
After we went down lake street we went to a building that used to be k-mart but has now been turned into a mural dedicated to George Floyd. A bunch of artists came together and painted this store. It was amazing seeing all the murals. So many of them had such beautiful messages. There are also more going up.
After k-mart we walked down to the George Floyd memorial they have blocked off the entire street and people are fighting to keep it standing. When you first enter the sectioned off zone, written on the streets are hundreds of names of African Americans wrongly killed. There were hundreds of murals, flowers, and signs.
Today we went back to the k-mart and met with 100s of others to march for unity down to the George Floyd memorial. Despite the hot weather and the chance that it might rain, 100s of people were willing to unite together to pray over the streets for unity. It was incredible to see how many people came and to see all of the different cultures. We walked for about 45 minutes worshiping and praying. Today was probably one of the days I enjoyed the most on the race.
Walking through Minneapolis and seeing all of this revealed a lot to me. It showed me how united people are when they come together for a common cause. Unfortunately this doesn’t happen unless something that should’ve never happened happens. Imagine what we could do if we were united in every cause. Everyday i pray that there would be less divide among Americans. No matter what everyone gets judged on things from there past, their heritage, and worst of all the. Color of their skin. These things should not affect the way you see others. I know personally I could be better about this.
As it says in 1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
We havent been in Minneapolis long but I have really enjoyed our time here. I feel like we are dealing with a huge issue that is very present all across America. The fact that we could do it in the city where George Floyd died made it even more special.
