Looking Away and Other Privileges

 

The story of Jewish liberation from slavery in Egypt was just retold at Seder tables and over Zoom worldwide. Jews retell this story year after to year - to remind ourselves we overcame horrendous obstacles to achieve freedom. This retelling forces us to think about what it was like to be in captivity, and what it must have felt like to finally breathe freely again.

To finally breathe again. The Passover holiday also begs reflection on modern day injustices and continued pursuits for liberation. This week began the trial charging police officer, Derek Chauvin, with the murder of George Floyd. It is unusual for an entire trial to be publicized. This week, it has been broadcasting all day from the television in my home office. As part of the prosecution’s case, evidence, testimony are being submitted and reviewed. 

Those watching have now seen with our own eyes - the over nine minutes of an officer’s knee on George Floyd’s neck - while he struggles for his life. We have heard testimony from those who were there - the onlookers. Many tried to intervene. Some pointed out to the officers what seemed obvious - that they were causing extraordinary harm to this man - that he was eventually no longer breathing. Others tried to tell the man under the officer’s knee to be compliant, hoping it would save his life. Those watching have now seen these witnesses are black and white, children and grandparents, off-duty firefighters and clerks from the convenience store where it all began that day. 

Those watching further observed that the witnesses are highly emotional. Their tears flow from the helplessness, guilt, shame they carry from not having been able to save this life. It has been incredibly difficult to watch. The terror and pain - of both Mr. Floyd and the witnesses - is so palpable it makes you sick. Literally. 

Still, many are not watching the trial this week. It is not because work won’t allow or due to not having access to programming. It is because it is too hard - too disturbing - too emotional. And many who are not watching for these latter reasons - are not black, did not know George Floyd, and do not have similar lived experiences. Those not watching may be people who care, but they are also removed. They are not in danger of similar circumstances.

It behooves us to see the modern struggle for black liberation in America. When we are not black, and when we are not experiencing similar suffering and inequity, we are gifted with the privilege to look away. 

Yet it is our duty to watch, learn and better understand. Watching forces discomfort with the purpose of witnessing living injustice. Watching forces us to feel distraught with the witnesses - to feel the pain of George Floyd and everyone who identifies with him - to hopefully be moved to engage in creating change. Watching is the least we can do from a place of advantage. 

Do not look away and you honor those who cannot look away.

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