His Name Is George Floyd (Pulitzer Prize Winner) by
WINNER OF THE 2023 PULITZER PRIZE IN NONFICTION WINNER OF THE DAYTON LITERARY PEACE PRIZE FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD AND LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE; FINALIST FOR THE J. ANTHONY LUKAS PRIZE; A BCALA 2023 HONOR NONFICTION AWARD WINNER. A landmark biography by two prizewinning Washington Post reporters that reveals how systemic racism shaped George Floyd's life and legacy--from his family's roots in the tobacco fields of North Carolina, to ongoing inequality in housing, education, health care, criminal justice, and policing--telling the story of how one man's tragic experience brought about a global movement for change. "It is a testament to the power of His Name Is George Floyd that the book's most vital moments come not after Floyd's death, but in its intimate, unvarnished and scrupulous account of his life . . . Impressive." --New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice) "Since we know George Floyd's death with tragic clarity, we must know Floyd's America--and life--with tragic clarity. Essential for our times." --Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist "A much-needed portrait of the life, times, and martyrdom of George Floyd, a chronicle of the racial awakening sparked by his brutal and untimely death, and an essential work of history I hope everyone will read." --Henry Louis Gates, Jr., author of The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song The events of that day are now tragically familiar: on May 25, 2020, George Floyd became the latest Black person to die at the hands of the police, murdered outside of a Minneapolis convenience store by white officer Derek Chauvin. The video recording of his death set off the largest protest movement in the history of the United States, awakening millions to the pervasiveness of racial injustice. But long before his face was painted onto countless murals and his name became synonymous with civil rights, Floyd was a father, partner, athlete, and friend who constantly strove for a better life. His Name Is George Floyd tells the story of a beloved figure from Houston's housing projects as he faced the stifling systemic pressures that come with being a Black man in America. Placing his narrative within the context of the country's enduring legacy of institutional racism, this deeply reported account examines Floyd's family roots in slavery and sharecropping, the segregation of his schools, the overpolicing of his community amid a wave of mass incarceration, and the callous disregard toward his struggle with addiction--putting today's inequality into uniquely human terms. Drawing upon hundreds of interviews with Floyd's closest friends and family, his elementary school teachers and varsity coaches, civil rights icons, and those in the highest seats of political power, Washington Post reporters Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa offer a poignant and moving exploration of George Floyd's America, revealing how a man who simply wanted to breathe ended up touching the world.
In May of 2020, we began hearing devastating reports of the tragic and brutal killing of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis. This followed by the reports on the deaths of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. These deaths ignited a huge response that is to this day being felt globally. George Floyd’s death, along with so many others’, must not be treated as an anomalies – but demonstrations of systemic injustice and racism. This is something that is not only true of America, but throughout the world. This research guide is a compiled list of recommended resources for supporting the Black Lives Matter Movement and it's allies as well as a timeline for a movement that surpasses the campaigns of 2020.
In 2013 in Sanford, Florida, vigilante George Zimmerman was found not guilty of the murder of 17-year-old African American Trayvon Martin. As a result, the struggle against police violence flared up under the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter and turned into one of the biggest grassroots movements in the United States. This film interviewed co-founder Patrisse Cullors about the various forms of violence against black citizens, and why resistance is essential.
This documentary welcomes dialogue around racial inequality, policing, and the Criminal Justice System by focusing on Eric Garners case. We hope viewers will increase their understanding of issues plaguing Black and Brown Communities by witnessing a massive group of protesters unite for the purpose of justice.
Eric Garners case centers at the struggle between new age policing that involves policy and laws that aggressively target Quality of Life offenses known as Broken Windows; selling Lucy cigarettes is considered one of these crimes, which Mr. Garner was known to do but contrary to belief he was not doing on the day he was killed, he was actually breaking up a fight prior to law enforcements arrival.
This film was shot in 2014. At the time it was completed we hoped that the 70,000 plus people who voiced their concern over the Eric Garners death would help to cease further causalities, unfortunately the opposite was true.
Since, law enforcement weaponry is more powerful than it has ever been. A steady increase in police killings has occurred from 2013-2015. In 2013 there were 771 killings, 2014 about 1100, and by 2015 the year concluded with 1201. An unacceptable portion of these citizens were unarmed.
As of August 2016, 734 people have been killed by U.S. police since January 1. It is going to take a new generation of thinkers to create a new system, one that is equal, loving, and for all people. Hopefully our film will help to spark great ideas and discussions surrounding the solutions and changes needed to achieve a new Criminal Justice System.
Directed by Oscar-nominee David Massey, this dynamic documentary explores why so many unarmed people of color have been shot and killed by police officers. Police officers, legal experts, local activists all weigh in in this timely documentary, delving into ongoing charges of inequality, unfair practices, and politicized manipulations of America's judicial system. Massey, an NAACP Image Award Winner, also addresses so-called "Black on Black" violent crime.
As the Black Lives Matter movement - and citizens nationwide - question the accountability of our justice system in cases of police violence, WHEN JUSTICE ISN'T JUSE is an essential and balanced addition to the ongoing discussion about violence, reform and renewal.
"Thank you for continuing to beat the drum!" - Blair Underwood
"A timely exploration of the state of American justice for African Americans and other people of color. A powerful, informative and timely discussion starter. Recommended." - Video Librarian
This PBS town hall meeting, moderated by PBS NEWSHOUR co-anchor and managing editor Gwen Ifill, explores events following Michael Brown's death in Ferguson, Missouri. The program, recorded before an audience on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, will include national leaders and prominent thinkers in the areas of law enforcement, race and civil rights, as well as government officials, faith leaders and youth.
What really happened on August 9th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri? That afternoon, Officer Darren Wilson killed 18-year-old Michael Brown. 'STRANGER FRUIT' is the unraveling of what took place, told through the eyes of Mike Brown's family.
Official Selection at the SXSW Film Festival.
"A powerfully compelling take on events surrounding the death of Michael Brown." - Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter
A hard-hitting expose of everyday citizens and their sometimes violent and inequitable relationship with police - and the public's ongoing search for justice. This documentary approaches the subject from many perspectives, including the voices of law enforcement, celebrities and those directly affected by police violence and shootings, as well addressing the high-profile incidents involving Michael Brown, Tamir Rice and Oscar Grant.
