06/01/2020
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” The death of George Floyd marks yet another incident of mishandling of human life at the hands of police. While the officers involved are being tried in the court of law, this is yet another drop of red in an already blood-soaked stream of events for the African-American community. If we pledge for freedom and justice for all, then we must stand together and face the truths of injustice in our country.
The brothers of Pi Lambda Phi at Penn State proudly stand together to say Black Lives Matter. We say this not to negate the idea that all lives matter, but to recognize the streak of injustices that still occur to African-Americans across the country. If all lives truly mattered, then Michael Brown, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Osaze Osagie, and many others would be alive to read this post.
To the family of George Floyd, we offer our sincerest condolences during this dark time. Though surely not the only ones, the brothers of Pi Lambda Phi will support you and the memory of all others who have had their lives unduly taken away.
To those who cry out against this injustice, continue to let your voices be heard. Let not your cries become simply an echo in the past, but a shockwave that will pave a path towards a better future. If we are to march forward towards true progress, the movement cannot be diminished to, nor derailed by, violence and crime as a reaction to the police’s crime and violence.
To those on the fence on this matter, we call for you to not allow yourselves to be numb. Educate yourselves on this matter as numbness is denial, and denial only serves to distort your reality. Find your truth to find what you stand for.
To George Floyd, may you rest in power, so that we may all one day rest in peace.
