We’ve just passed the anniversary of the death of George Floyd, and still our country is dealing with the aftermath. Before I go any further, let me just say that it’s crystal clear, Mr. Floyd was murdered by Police Officer Derek Chauvin and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Now that we’ve established that I will attempt to show the contrast between George Floyd and David Dorn, and how we as a nation reacted to each.
George Floyd was 46 at the time of his death. He was a truck driver, security guard, and rapper. Mr. Floyd had a history of run-ins with the Law. He was stopped by police or charged at least 19 times in his adult life. He was a convicted felon. At the time of his death it was reported that he had two unprescribed drugs in his system. Reports also showed that he was less than cooperative during arrest, although there is a question to what degree. Again, the above not withstanding, what was done to him was wrong.
The response to his death has caused protests and riots in many cities across the nation. The police have been accused of having systememic racism. However, the facts don’t support such. According to Statista Research from 2017-June 2021 there have been 371 deaths and of those 71 were black men.
Now let’s look at how we as a nation responded to the death of George Floyd.
There were three funeral services for Mr. Floyd, one in MN, one in NC and one in TX.
The primary one in MI drew a crowd of politicians, government officials and celebrities. Even Joe Biden made an appearance via video. The funeral was televised on most all major networks and lasted close to four hours. Mr. Floyd’s family was given 27 million dollars by the state of MN. Mr. Floyd’s daughter received a full ride scholarship from Texas Southern University. Mr. Floyd’s family was invited to the White House by President Biden.
Just nine days later during a protest in St.Louis MO retired police chief David Dorn was murdered by a group of protesters/looters during a pawn shop invasion. Mr. Dorn had been called by the owner of the pawn shop for protection that night.
Mr. Dorn was the father of five. He led an exemplary life of service to the community. According Digital Content Producer in an article in June 11, 2020 Mr. Dorn was described, “all those who attended the public visitation described Dorn as selfless, kind and humble.”
Mr. Dorn did not have a celebrity laced, televised funeral service. Mr. Dorn’s family did not receive millions of dollars from the state on MO. Mr. Dorn’s family was not invited to the White House. Mr. Dorn did not get a square in town named after him. No one in Mr. Dorn’s family received any kind of scholarship. I can’t find any special funds that were designated to cover the costs related to his funeral expenses.
There’s something terribly wrong when a nation idolizes that of a convicted felon and drug addict over the life of a man to lived his life in the service of his community.
Both were black, yet the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jessie Jackson did not attend Mr. Dorn’s funeral. One can only come to the conclusion that politics was the overriding factor in such a disparity of the reaction wrought between the death of the two. Justice is about to take place in the sentencing of Mr. Floyd’s killer, but Mr. Dorn’s family will never be awarded the justice they deserve even if the perpetrator is sentenced. It’s just a shame. Shame on America when we immortalize a life long criminal over that of a man that of a man who lived a life of service to his community.