Many of us felt and witnessed the impact of George Floyd’s death in our communities. In Seattle it was a catalytic event that energized a movement that momentarily seized control of several city blocks.
It sent ripples through our country and indeed the world—ripples that are still reverberating. During a trip to Minnesota, I had the opportunity and privilege to visit the neighborhood and site of the dreadful event. With all of the political turmoil and tension surrounding Floyd’s death I was not sure what to expect. However, what I found was a dignified, solemn space of mourning.
It appeared to me to be an informal, collaborative, authentic expression by family and community members. An open-sided tent was placed over the crime scene. An artistic chalk rendering of Floyd’s body was placed on the sidewalk where his body was pinned down by police. The outline of the figure was surrounded by candles brought by visitors. Mounds of flowers, messages and trinkets surrounded the figure.
As visitors approached the tent conversations stopped and heads bowed. Beyond the tent there were numerous murals and impressive works of art memorializing Floyd. During my visit there was a local musician playing a soulful dirge that filled the air.
The experience was profound, but it left me with several unsettling questions. How does this makeshift memorial evolve into a more formal permanent statement? Who gets to decide what that looks and feels like? How can this space be used to strengthen and unify a shattered community? How do you balance the need to fuel continued action and discussions surrounding police violence and accountability with the needs of his family, friends and neighbors to personalize their loss? How do the people in this neighborhood continue to live their everyday lives in the midst of these haunting spaces?