The video of George Floyd dying was the most painful one I’ve seen in a while. 

I’m not sure about you, but with every passing minute, I started feeling more of the weight of that cop’s knee on my neck, not just George’s.

And then I heard George say these three words that could potentially change the world – “I can’t breathe!”

While he was talking about his inability to breathe and live as normal, his three words also spoke up for what people of his race have been subjected to since 1619 – systemic racism, which 400 years later, looks like it could tear the world’s strongest nation in two.

Sadly, George died as his ancestors have – unable to breathe freely all their lives even unto death. Slavery was abolished in 1865, 155 years ago, but many of those slaves and their descendants never breathed and lived freely in the land of the free.

There’s no simpler yet greater message or rally cry than #icantbreathe that relays their rights, their plight, and their need.